Support Local!

This small sign hangs in one of our favorite breakfast spots, The Broad Street Bakery in Southern Pines, NC.  CIA trained owners make amazing food!  We own a boutique real estate firm in Southern Pines and faithfully support local independent businesses when we can.

Some of our favorites restaurants along with The Broad Street Bakery are....

The Bakehouse in Aberdeen, NC for both their baked goods and lunch.  Barcelona burger with garlic sauce.... the only thing I will order.

Curt's Cucina for amazing Italian.  Friends who have lived in Italy have said they have never found better in the states.

Etalia in Southern Pines for Italian cuisine and wood fired pizza.  Of course, their wine dinners should never be missed!

Full Moon Oyster Bar has amazing seafood.  Make sure you get their potato side.

Wolcott's in Southern Pines is my favorite special occasion restaurant.  For those evenings you want to take your time, savor the food, the wine and relax.

Ironwood Cafe on Midland Road in Pinehurst is my favorite outside spot to sit and enjoy dinner.  Actually I most enjoy their martinis and appetizers!  Their dinners and lunch are great but I just enjoy the grazing experience here.

Sweet Basil in the historic district of Southern Pines gives you a great downtown experience.  Get there early or the line will be long.

Southern Prime Steakhouse is on the pricier side and serves great food and great wine but again my favorite is to sit outside on the patio and enjoy their short rib appetizer and a great glass of cabernet.  For me it is big enough for dinner.

Elliott's on Linden is a place I order only one thing!  Shrimp and Grits.  I'm a northern transplant and hated grits until I tasted Mark Elliott's version!

As you can see the area has great restaurants and amazing chefs.  I know that when I hit publish on this blog I will think of several other places we enjoy and I promise to write about them at another time.  In the meantime... support local!

First Health 2016 Swim Lessons for Children

First Health Swimming Lessons for Children has offerings for ages 3-12 that meet twice each week for 3 weeks.  Each class is 40 minutes and by limiting the class to just 6-10 children your children are sure to get the attention they need. Registration is held the week prior to the class start date. And classes are offered at 3:40, 4:20, 5:05, 5:50, 6:35 and 7:15.  Be sure to check the schedule since different levels of swim are offered at different times to cover the needs of all participants.

Visit the Health & Fitness Website to register.  First Health members have the first opportunity to register followed by the public. 

Classes are available through December.   Cost: $50 members/$65 community.

View their schedule by level of ability here.

First Health also offers life guard training.  But schedule quickly time is running out.

 

Compare Moore County SAT Scores

Schools have a large impact on home purchases.  Quality of a school district is almost always on the top of the list of concerns for buyers.  Whether you have children in school or not being in the right district can give a home strong resale advantages.  The North Carolina SAT Report for 2014 has been released.

We are very proud of our teachers and their dedication to the students of Moore County Schools here in North Carolina.  For a full understanding of a school district be sure to research testing scores, excellence awards and teacher student ratios. NCReportCard.org is a great spot to start.

When you are ready to start your search please give Allan and Terry at Towering Pines Real Estate a call 910-528-1181.

Annual New Years Celebration in Southern Pines, NC

Come join the fun as Southern Pines begins the celebration of the New Year.  Starting at 6 p.m. at the Historic Train Station on Broad Street Southern Pines will have its Annual First Eve Celebration.  

There will be live music, carnival games, face painting and much, much more.  The festivities are just the perfect countdown to the Pinecone Drop at 8 p.m. 

This exciting and free event is brought to you by the Southern Pines Recreation and Parks Department and the Southern Pines Business Association.

Moore County Christmas Tree Recycling Event

Wondering what to do with the Christmas Tree now that the holidays are over?  Don't just throw away that tree!  Recycle!

The Christmas Tree Recycling Event is being sponsored, once again, by Keep Moore County Beautiful.

From Monday, December 29th through Friday January 9th, Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. you can drop off your Christmas tree at two different locations:

Moore County Landfill located at 456 Turning Leaf Way (off NC 5) in Aberdeen.

Carthage Collection Center at 5361 U.S. 15-501 South.

Where Do I Vote In Moore County, North Carolina?

You may be tired of the negative advertising, the robo calls and the menagerie of signs on every corner of town but Election Day is finally upon us.  Tomorrow is the big day! Your vote is your voice!
Take the time tomorrow to head to the polls and be heard.  While you may be only one vote, remember there are powers in numbers.  Your vote makes a difference.

Not sure where your polling place is?  Here is the list of all Moore County polling sites.  If you still are not sure give Moore County Board of Elections a call at 910-947-3868.  Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

It's our government, don't leave the decision to others.  Go Vote!

Looking for Halloween Fun in Southern Pines, North Carolina?

Southern Pines, North Carolina begins the Halloween festivities at 5 p.m.  Kids 10 and under should head to the downtown park for the Southern Pines Halloween Haunt.  There will be games, edible crafts, bingo, a flashlight egg hunt and more. 

For those a little older who like a really big scare, check out the Aberdeen Fear Factory.  This is North Carolina’s largest indoor haunt with 25,000 square feet of sheer terror.  The faint of heart should remain at home!  You will find them at 10570 NC Hwy 211 in Aberdeen.  Check out their website for ticket prices.

For those of you whose real treat is a relaxing evening with a nice glass of wine you might want to head to Cypress Bend Vineyards in Wagram.  Wear your costume (there will be judging) and enjoy the music of Black Water Rhythm & Blues.  Gates open at 7.  Cost is $10 per person.

Please be sure to always be safe.  Watch for all those little ghouls and goblins.

10 Do's & Don'ts During Your Loan Process

When you are ready to buy your home in Pinehurst or Southern Pines the first thing you will need to do is become pre qualified for your mortgage loan.  In order to have your home loan go smoothly we have 10 recommended Do's and Don'ts to follow.

1. Don't apply for new credit of ANY kind!
2. Don't close credit card accounts!
3. Don't max out or over-charge existing credit cards.
4. Don't consolidate debt to one or two cards!
5. Don't change or quit your current job!
6. Don't make any large deposits into your checking or savings account!
7. Don't make any large purchases!
8. Don't co-sign for any loans!
9. Do stay current on existing accounts!
10. Do hire a great loan officer!

Towering Pines Real Estate and Movement Mortgage are a great team!

Homes in Pinehurst National

National Golf Club recently became Pinehurst No. 9!  It is not only a 18 hole championship Jack Nicklaus course, it is also a great place to live!  Located at Royal Troon Drive in Pinehurst it is conveniently located to schools, shopping, and both the Village of Pinehurst and Southern Pines.

The neighborhood of National Golf Club in Pinehurst, North Carolina has amazing amenities.  The 32,000 square foot Club House has a pro shop and dining facilities.

You will also find swimming and tennis facilties!

You can find Homes for Sale in National Golf Club from $250,000 for a lovely townhome up to $1,000,000 or more for custom homes.  Of course you can also find Lots and Land available in National  to build your own custom home.  

National Golf Club Market Report for September 2014

• 21 Single Family Homes for Sale - Price range of $379,000 to $1,298,000 with one sale in August.  
• 3 Townhomes for Sale - Price Range of $250,000 to $469,000 with no townhome sales in August.  One currently under contract.

For more information on homes for sale in National Golf Club in Pinehurst North Carolina , please call us, Allan Nanney and Terry Rainer of Towering Pines Real Estate at 910-528-1181.  We will gladly provide you with the information and tools you need to handle your real estate needs in Pinehurst North Carolina. 

Real Estate | Homes for Heroes

Homes for Heroes® is a community-minded organization whose purpose is to provide real rebates and real discounts to the Heroes who serve our nation and its communities every day, through a network of real estate brokers and service providers. Our Heroes include military personnel, firefighters, law enforcement, teachers and healthcare workers.  This program was created after the tragic events of 9/11 as a tangible “Thank you” to the men and women who have given and continue to give so much.

I am proud to be the exclusive Homes for Heroes Realtor Affiliate for Moore County. Call, email or text me if you know someone in any of the Hero categories that needs professional real estate services, whether it be for buying, selling, or investing.  We would honored to help.   

Service Deserves Its Rewards®

First Health Moore County Regional Ranked Among Top in North Carolina

US News and World Report ranked our local hospital, Moore County Regional among the best!

Moore County Regional has 6 high performing specialties.  These specialties include Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Pulmonology and Urology.

The hospital has 379 beds and had 20,878 admissions in the last year.  Performing 4,414 outpatient surgeries and 5,465 inpatient along with 65,530 visits to the emergency room.  The hospital has an 82% approval rating which is above both the state and national averages of 71%. 

You can view the US News and World Report article here.

The hospital is located at 155 Memorial Drive in Pinehurst.

Looking for a Healthy Lunch in Southern Pines?

Life is busy and eating healthy while on the run is tough.  Look no further for a great spot to eat right.  Nana’s Deli located at 215 West Pennsylvania Avenue in Downtown Southern Pines is the place.  All of Nana’s sandwiches, wraps and salads are made with high quality, all natural, uncured deli meats that contain no nitrates, additives or preservatives.  They also have many vegetarian and gluten free options as well.  Don't worry, Nana makes some really great cookies too.

Nana’s Deli is also a company that likes to give back.  To see everything they are involved in or what is fresh out of the oven be sure to like their Facebook page.   

Open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. their convenient location makes it easy to stop and eat inside or out, and if it's more convenient, order to go.  If you are too busy to get to Nana's Deli they have delivery too!  Just give them a call at 910-684-8138.  It's too hard to give you our recommendation because we have several favorites, but you can check out the entire menu right here.

Bon Appetit!

Can I Afford to Buy a Home? Check Out This Simple Guide

Taking that first step to home ownership can be stressful.  Eliminate that stress with this simple guide

Step 1:  Get Pre-Approved

The only way to truly know how much home you can afford is to ask a lender.  Getting pre-approved lets you know how much you can afford before shopping for your home.

What to Know and Where to Find It

• Income:  Stable income assures a lender you can make your monthly mortgage payment.  
• Debt:  Add up auto payments, credit card payments, student loans, alimony, child support, and other.
• Cash:  Total assets, amount in checking and savings accounts, and other investments.

Step 2:  Determine Monthly Mortgage Payment Including Escrow

Escrow is a third party account used to retain funds including the property owner's real estate taxes and hazard insurance premiums.

Step 3:  Understand Bills Associated with Home Ownership

Estimate that it will cost about one percent of the purchase price per year to maintain your home.  For a $200,000 home, you should budget approximately $2,000 per year or approximately $170 per month for maintenance.  Condominiums and co-ops will have regular maintenance fees.  You will also have utilities, gas, electric, water, sewage, cable, telephone, insurance, property tax, etc.

Step 4:  Compare the Total Costs to Your Monthly Salary

Subtract the total in Step 3 from your monthly gross income.

Step 5:  Test Those Numbers for Six Months

• Set up a new bank account
• Subtract your current monthly rent from your Step 2 total.
• Deposit the difference in these numbers into the new bank account on the first day of each month.
• After six months, determine how simple or straining the process turned out to be.

Step 6:  Establish Future Priorities and Plan for the Unexpected

• What are your needs for your new home - furniture, lawn equipment, barbecue grill?
• Is a new car in your near future
• Do you plan to have children
• How long can you survive if you lost your job?

This guide has been provided by Movement Mortgage and Jason Brooks. When you are ready to purchase be sure to contact Jason at 910-920-SAVE (7283) to finance your home.  Towering Pines Real Estate will be happy to help you search for the perfect home!  Call Allan at 910-528-1181 or Terry at 910-528-2078.

Low Cost Spay and Neuter in Moore County

In 2013, Moore County announced a new initiative to reduce and eventually eliminate the need for euthanasia in the Moore County Animal Shelter.

In 2013, the county shelter took in 3200 animals and sadly 2199 of these dogs and cats were euthanized.  Moore County has created FIX’Moore, a fund to help provide low cost spay and neuter.   FIX’Moore has already made an impact and has seen lower intake numbers at the shelter. 

You can help today with the continued success of this program by making a donation to the FIX'Moore Fund.  For information on how to make a donation please visit their site at www.animalcentermoorecounty.com/donate 

If your home isn't ready for a pet and you would rather volunteer at the shelter they would appreciate your help.

And always remember if you are looking for that special new family member to visit the animal shelter to adopt your pet.  They are easy to find at 5235 US Hwy 15/501 in Carthage.

Pinecrest High School - Best in Moore County!

Schools are always important when purchasing a home.  Even for the buyer who does not have children.  Parents with children will pay attention to school ratings and often design their home search to focus on certain schools.  To be sure their children receive a strong education, studies show buyers will pay more for a home to be in the right district. 

The National Association of Realtors recently shared a recent Redfin study using MLS databases and have discovered that buyers paid, on average, an additional $50 per square foot for homes within certain school districts during the period of May 1 to July 31, 2013.

If you are wondering where the best high school is here in Moore County we are proud to share the most recent U.S. News and World Report!  U.S. News and World Report recently named their top high schools in North Carolina.  They reviewed 31,242 U.S. public high schools and 97 North Carolina schools made the ranking.  We are very proud of Pinecrest High School and the faculty right here in Southern Pines!  They have been ranked #15 in North Carolina and #1383 nationally. Congratulations to our teachers and our students for all of their hard work!

National Golf Club to Join the Pinehurst Resort?

Recent reports in our local newspaper, The Pilot and also in Golf Week announce the current due diligence period of 70 days to merge National Golf Club with the Pinehurst Resort.  This will add another delightful resort experience for local residents and visitors to the Pinehurst area.

Current members in Pinehurst are extremely happy with the recent renovations to the resort’s clubhouse.  There are also plans for a swimming complex to be built.  The resort is working very hard to give all of its membership amenities that will be unmatched.

Could now be the time to purchase a home in National Golf Club?  Allan and Terry at Towering PinesReal Estate would be happy to help you!

New to Pinehurst?

Are you on overload from your move?  You packed, said your good-byes, unpacked and now here you are.   What’s next?  Moving to a new town and meeting new friends with common interests can be hard. 

If you purchased a home in Pinehurst we have good news!  The Newcomers of Pinehurst was established in 1984 and has several different events every month.  Bridge, golf, Bunco, book clubs, lunch, dinners, and more.  Just visit their website, download a form and make the call.  Jump right into the Pinehurst lifestyle you have been dreaming of. 

We are glad you are here!

Best Golf Courses in the Pinehurst, North Carolina Area

Golfers love visiting the Pinehurst Southern Pines area because we have 40 courses within a 15 mile radius. But let me show you why they think this is golfer's heaven.  The April 2013 edition of BusinessNorth Carolina published the top 100 golf courses in North Carolina which is developed by the North Carolina Golf Panel.   The Pinehurst Southern Pines area had 17 of the top 100 and 5 of the top 10! 

#1   Pinehurst No. 2
#5   Country Club of North Carolina's Dogwood Course
#6   Pine Needles
#9   Pinehurst No. 8
#10 Forest Creek South Course
#11 Pinehurst No. 4
#15 Country Club of North Carolina's Cardinal Course
#16 Forest Creek North Course
#23 National Golf Club
#25 Dormie Club
#38 Mid Pines
#41 Pinewild Country Club's Magnolia Course
#50 Pinehurst #7
#61 Mid South Club
#74 Tobacco Road
#89 Legacy Golf Links
#91 Seven Lakes Country Club


People come to play and then decide to stay.  Give us a call when you are ready to make the Pinehurst area home.  910-528-1181