Wayfinder Realty w/ Kinstle & Co

06/26/2026

This week on Sold on Flavor, we're making a hearty Breakfast Casserole that's perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying throughout the week.

Loaded with crispy bacon, savory breakfast sausage, golden tater tots, fluffy eggs, and plenty of sharp cheddar cheese, this is comfort food at its best. To brighten it all up, I finished it with a fresh, homemade Pico de Gallo.

Serve it hot and topped with Pico de Gallo. The casserole itself is still a mild dish, so I like to drizzle a little Sriracha sauce over my serving for an extra punch of flavor. It adds just the right amount of heat without overpowering the rest of the ingredients.

Whether you're making brunch for family, meal prepping for the week, or looking for a dish everyone will enjoy, this casserole is sure to be a hit.

Watch the full episode, give it a try, and let me know how you customize yours. Enjoy! 🍳🥓🥔🧀🌶️

Breakfast doesn't have to be complicated to be memorable.This wee...

06/25/2026

Some homes have stories, and 3469 Tarpon Ct certainly had one.

Originally listed in September 2025, this beloved fishing getaway had been a special place for the Smelser family for many years. As they prepared to navigate the next season of life, it was time to pass their oasis on to someone new.

Throughout the process, the sellers remained committed to doing the right thing. In fact, just before the home hit the market, they installed a new HVAC system not to justify a higher price, but to ensure the next owners would enjoy a well-maintained home.

The journey wasn't without challenges. Over the course of the listing, the property went under contract three times, and a latent material fact discovered during inspections could have ended the transaction altogether. Instead, through patience, transparency, and collaboration with the county, Kinstle & Co. agent Todd Derksen helped navigate a practical solution that kept the transaction moving forward.

Every transaction is different, but the best outcomes are often achieved when everyone involved is committed to solving problems rather than creating them.

Congratulations to the Smelser family as they begin their next chapter, and welcome home to the new owners of this beautiful coastal retreat.

06/19/2026

🌽 Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde | Comfort Food with a Fresh Twist

Facebook Post:

This week on Sold on Flavor, I went with a meal that feels like comfort food but still tastes bright and fresh—Chicken Enchiladas in Salsa Verde.

Everything started with a homemade chicken stock, because great meals are built from the ground up. The filling came together with tender chicken, sweet corn, and plenty of flavor before being wrapped in tortillas and covered with a tangy salsa verde. Topped with cheese and baked until bubbly, it’s the kind of meal that disappears quickly around the table.

One of the things I enjoy most about cooking is taking simple ingredients and turning them into something that brings people together. These enchiladas are hearty enough for family dinner, easy enough for leftovers, and packed with flavors that remind us that homemade doesn't have to be complicated.

Good food doesn't have to be fancy. Sometimes it's just chicken, corn, a homemade stock, and a little time in the kitchen.

Because making dinner isn't just about feeding people—it's about creating memories.



YouTube Description:

This week on Sold on Flavor, we're making homemade Chicken Enchilad...

06/12/2026

Some meals aren't about speed. They're about slowing down, filling the house with incredible aromas, and gathering around the table with the people who matter most.

This week on Sold on Flavor, I went back to the classics with a traditional homemade lasagna. The foundation is a rich meat sauce made with sweet and hot Italian sausage, ground beef, oven-roasted peppers, onions, garlic, a splash of wine, and tomato sauce simmered together until everything comes together just right.

Of course, lasagna deserves a worthy sidekick. For the garlic bread, I sautéed fresh garlic cloves until soft and mellow, then blended them into a smooth puree before spreading it over the bread and baking it to golden perfection.

There's something special about recipes like this. They take a little more time, a little more patience, and a little more love. The reward is a meal that feels like home from the very first bite.

What's your family's must-have comfort food? Lasagna? Pot roast? Chicken and dumplings? I'd love to hear what's on your table.

🍝🧄🍷

This week on Sold on Flavor, we're slowing things down and making o...

06/05/2026

This week's Sold on Flavor is all about one of the most versatile, budget-friendly meals you can make at home: Naan!

Store-bought pizza night can add up quickly, but homemade naan is inexpensive, easy to make, and turns dinner into an activity the whole family can enjoy.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that everyone gets to make it their own. Set out a few toppings, let the kids stretch their dough, and create their own personal pizzas. The kitchen gets a little messy, but the memories are worth it.

This week, I topped mine with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, baby arugula, spinach, and a balsamic reduction, but the possibilities are endless. Whether you're feeding a family, meal prepping for the week, or looking for a fun weekend cooking project, naan deserves a spot in your recipe collection.

Simple ingredients. Big flavor. Family memories.

What's your favorite pizza topping combination?

YouTube DescriptionThis week on Sold on Flavor, we're making home...

06/04/2026

Dues are defined as the official payments you make to an organization you belong to. Usually, that means money.

But I think dues can mean something more.

Yesterday, I got up at O'Dark Thirty—2:30 a.m. in this case. Most mornings when I wake up that early, I'll scroll through TikTok and hope to steal another hour or two of sleep before the 5:00 a.m. alarm goes off. Yesterday was different.

Yesterday was Legislative Day for NC REALTORS®.

As a member of BCAR's Legislative Committee, I had encouraged BCAR to provide a bus so members and affiliates could participate. Now that I've been accepted to the BCAR Board of Directors, I'll be making more of these trips in the future, but yesterday wasn't about a title. It was about showing up.

Ownership is never free, but it is rewarding.

There were plenty of reasons not to go. Involvement requires sacrifice. A long bus ride. A full day. Brief meetings with elected officials. Time away from work and family.

Did I change the world by getting on a bus before sunrise, driving across the state, and spending a few minutes advocating for property rights and homeownership?

Yes. Yes, I did.

Not because I changed everything, but because I helped make it a little better.

The world has no shortage of people willing to criticize from the sidelines. Progress is built by people who show up. Small acts of service add up. Participation matters. Engagement matters. Paying your dues matters.

I'll leave you with the immortal words of Jack Burton:

"When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, looks you crooked in the eye and asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: 'Have ya paid your dues, Jack?' 'Yessir, the check is in the mail.'"

05/29/2026

Some recipes surprise you.
This week on Sold on Flavor, we took a simple Flat Iron Steak Sandwich and turned it into something special. The steak is marinated with lime, garlic, chipotle, and spices, then piled high on toasted ciabatta with melted pepper jack cheese, roasted red peppers, fresh greens, and a smoky chipotle sauce that ties everything together.
As good as the sandwich is, the real sleeper hit might be the Cowboy Caviar. Corn, black-eyed peas, black beans, tomatoes, peppers, and red onion tossed together in a zesty dressing create the perfect fresh and colorful side dish. It's one of those recipes that disappears faster than you expect.
The combination of smoky, spicy, creamy, and fresh flavors makes this a meal that's perfect for summer gatherings, backyard cookouts, or just a great dinner at home.
Catch this week's episode of Sold on Flavor and let me know—are you reaching for the sandwich first, or loading up on the Cowboy Caviar?
This is a meal that should be shared with a friend in your new home.

https://youtu.be/JUNFWd72ywQ?si=ChefhCz01pYyMZBf

05/29/2026

I’m a lot.

If you really know me, you probably agree with that statement. In fact, I often joke that my bride has earned an express pass through the pearly gates simply for putting up with me all these years.

You see, I have an obsession with a simple question:

Why doesn’t someone do something about that?

Once you start asking that question, you see it everywhere. The list is endless.

Ten years ago, I made Brunswick County my home. It was a deliberate decision, and not once have I regretted it. This community has been good to me, and over time I found myself wanting to give back to the place that welcomed me.

Along the way, I wandered into a boutique brokerage and connected with some amazing people. They accepted me, encouraged me, challenged me, and gave me opportunities to grow. I hope that in return, I have poured into them as much as they have poured into me.

Those opportunities led me to become involved with the Brunswick County Association of REALTORS®. I joined the MLS Committee and the Legislative Committee. Then I heard about the Strategic Committee and joined that as well. Later, our CEO asked if I would be interested in becoming a Certified Instructor. After approval from the commissioners and passing the introductory exam, that door opened too.

Yesterday brought another humbling milestone. I was endorsed and approved to serve on the Board of Directors for BCAR. During that same meeting, I was also asked to serve as BCAR’s representative manager for HIVE MLS, the technology platform that supports nearly 19,000 REALTORS®.

A friend recently asked me, “What does being on the Board of Directors mean?”

The answer is simple.

It means more work.

Some people chase leadership positions because they like titles. I've never been particularly interested in titles. What interests me is being in the room where decisions are made.

There’s a song in Hamilton called The Room Where It Happens. I've always loved that idea.

Not because I need recognition.

Because if I’m in the room, I can contribute. If I’m in the room, I can ask questions. If I’m in the room, I can advocate for the people I serve. If I’m in the room, I can help move good ideas forward.

My guiding principle has always been simple:

Leadership through Service.

If something needs to be improved, I don't want to sit on the sidelines asking why nobody did something about it. I want to be one of the people willing to roll up their sleeves and help.

Maybe there was a little inspiration from above ten years ago when I decided Brunswick County was where I would plant my flag. Today, as one of the fastest-growing counties in the country continues to evolve, I am grateful for the opportunity to help shape its future in some small way.

To my dear friend Melissa, to Dani and the entire team at Kinstle & Co., to Cynthia and the staff at BCAR, and to my colleagues and counterparts throughout our association—thank you for your faith, your trust, and your friendship.

We are building something special here.

And for a guy who is always asking why someone doesn't do something about that, I'm grateful for the opportunity to be in the room where it happens.

05/26/2026

I’ve said before that real estate, to me, is less about the box and more about the life built around it. Relocation is no different. Most people don’t wake up one morning and randomly decide to move across the country. It usually starts much quieter than that. A thought that keeps showing up. A feeling that maybe life is supposed to feel a little lighter than this.

Sometimes it’s the pace. Sometimes it’s the weather. Sometimes the kids are grown, retirement is getting closer, or maybe people are simply tired of feeling like they’re grinding through life instead of living it. I talk to a lot of people considering Brunswick County and coastal North Carolina, and the conversations are rarely about granite countertops or square footage in the beginning. They’re about quality of life. They’re about wanting more peace, more connection, more time outside, more balance and honestly… just wanting to feel excited about what’s next again.

Moving doesn’t magically fix everything. I would never pretend it does. But environment matters more than people give it credit for. Where you live affects your stress, your routines, your relationships, your health and even your outlook on life. The right place can change the rhythm of your entire life.

That’s why I approach relocation differently. I’m not just trying to help people buy a house in North Carolina. I’m trying to help them figure out if this next chapter actually fits the life they want to build.

If you’ve been wondering what life could look like somewhere different, let’s start with a conversation. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just clarity.

— Todd Derksen
Wayfinder Realty
“Find your way home.”

05/24/2026

Most people don’t wake up one morning and suddenly decide to move to North Carolina.

And I don’t subscribe to the belief that moving somewhere automatically makes people happy. Geography alone doesn’t heal grief, loneliness, burnout, regret, or disappointment. We carry ourselves with us wherever we go. But I do believe memories can become so heavy and so present that they almost feel like ghosts living inside a home. Sometimes every room carries echoes of another chapter of life. Children growing up. Family gatherings. Loss. Divorce. A spouse passing away. The memories deserve their place, but eventually some people realize they need a new environment that doesn’t constantly pull them backward emotionally.

Maybe the fresh start isn’t about forgetting the past. Maybe it’s simply about having room to breathe again.

For many people up north, especially as they get older, life starts feeling heavier than it used to. Winter becomes less charming and more exhausting. Weeks of grey skies. Darkness before and after work. Long commutes through snow and ice to jobs that would replace you within weeks if you disappeared tomorrow. Old homes full of character but lacking modern comforts, dragging window air conditioning units in every spring and hauling them back out every fall because the house was built a hundred years ago. Property taxes that continue climbing while people quietly wonder what exactly they are still paying for.

Then there is the emotional side of aging that nobody really prepares you for. The blessing of children is watching them grow into independent adults. The difficult part is realizing they eventually build lives of their own. Discernment eventually creeps in and whispers a truth most people try not to say out loud: there are likely fewer years ahead than behind. At some point people stop asking, “What do I accumulate next?” and start asking, “How do I actually want to spend the next chapter of my life?”

That’s usually when the Chardonnay browsing begins around 11:30 at night.

“Best places to retire.”
“Coastal North Carolina.”
“Brunswick County.”
“What’s it really like to live near the beach?”

After helping many people relocate, I’ve learned most aren’t really searching for a different house. They are searching for a different feeling. They want less pressure, less noise, less rushing, and more moments that feel manageable again. More evenings outside. More dinners with family. More opportunities to slow down enough to enjoy the life they worked decades to build.

That’s why relocation is rarely about square footage, bedroom counts, or granite countertops. It’s about whether your life still fits the place you’re living.

Brunswick County isn’t perfect. No place is. But for many people, it feels like exhaling for the first time in years.

If you’ve quietly started wondering whether your next chapter might look different, I’m always happy to have a conversation. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just clarity.

— Todd Derksen
Wayfinder Realty
“Find your way home.”