Sandhills Real Estate

320 Holly St., Vass. Wonderful custom stick built family home! Warm and Inviting with over 3000 sqft Huge Rec room, Huge Bonus room, 4 bedrooms, Like new kitchen w/granite, stainless type appliances and tile floor. Refinished hardwood floors, new carpet, new paint,new heat pump. Lots of storage. Shows like a new home!! 1.2 acres with fenced in back yard and all new INGROUND POOL! Close to town .2 miles to Vass Park and only 10 minutes to Downtown Southern Pines. Call Carl Nines Rhodes & Co 910-603-1883.

Directions: Take US1 Business in Vass, left at Vass-Carthage Rd, left at Holly St.

The Moore County Register of Deeds Office in Carthage has recorded the following property transfers valued at $50,000 or more.

January 4 - 8, 2010 H&H Homes of Fayetteville LLC to Brian S. Wo rth, Lot 28 Sinclair Little River Township, $185,000.

Wayne M. and Amy D. Braren to James A. Shoemaker Et al., 5.98 acres, Carthage Township, $226,000.

Paul J. Shomers to Sharon L. Smith, Lot 40 P2 The Pines, Sandhills Township, $155,000.

David H. and Candice M. Goble to Meghan E. and Rodney A. McGuire, Lots 5859 Ridgeview Sandhills Township, $150,000.

McDonald Family Farms LLC to Uwharrie Lumber Company, Timber Deed Tract Exception Map, $591,000.

Juliet McKinnon Et al. to JPMorgan Chase Bank Et al., Trustees Deed B3388/271 B3621/434 Lots 32R & 33R Carolina Pines 09 SP 310, $83,000.

McDowell Timber Company Et al. to Mitchell L. and Machonne F. Ritter, 22.226 acres, Bensalem/Carthage Township, $61,500.

Donnie R. McNeill and Margaret R. Garner to Clint E. Sanders, Tracts, Sheffield Township, $254,500.

Brian S. and Kassandra T. Caddell to Debra L. and Michael Galvin, Lot 67 S10 Woodlake Little River Township, $269,000.

Frank Bryant to Festus H. Underwood, 3.20 acres, Greenwood Township, $75,000.

Donna O. Smith Et al. to Gregory E. and Judith A. Hogan, Lot 2253 Dartmoor Seven Lakes, Mineral Springs Township, $192,000.

Gerard J. Capstaff Et al. to Beneficial Mortgage Co. of NC, Trustees Deed B3297/461 Tract, $124,000.

Lucille M. Punchard Et al. to B. Nathan and Jacqueline E. Spearing, Lots 23 & 24 BL J&I Southern Pines, McNeill Township, $175,000.

W. Wayne Blake Et al. to Sylvia J. McSwain, 3.31 acres Sheffield Township, $52,500.

Martha K. Maness Et al. to Wachovia Bank NA, Trustees Deed B3410/165 Lot 215 U3 P1 Pinehurst, Mineral springs Township, 09 SP 17 $57,500.

William G. and Deborrah K. Little to Samuel A. III and Elizabeth M. Blackwell, Tract 1 Wildwood Mineral Springs Township, $144,000.

Stafford Land Company Inc. and Stafford Land Company to Bryen C. and Kim M. Freigo, Lot 52 P2 Cabin Branch, Carthage Township, $249,500.

Willis W. Harris II to Dwane A. and Cathy S. Parsons, Tract, Mineral Springs Township, $124,000.

Guenter G. and Regina R. Rauscher to Guenther and Evelyn M. Baerje, Unit 101 P2 Foxgreen Villas Condo, $55,000.

H&H Homes of Fayettevillle LLC to Raleigh and Jennifer S. Cash, Lot 36 Sinclair Little River Township, $233,000.

Visit the Sandhills Real Estate Guide Online

• Property Transactions • Press Releases • Out & About in Real Estate

www.thepilot.com/realestate PAGE 2

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010

Professionally Speaking

Dear Community,

What's my home worth—now?

Over the next few weeks with the help of fellow Realtor® Hamp Thomas, who specializes in property appraisals and has written several books on appraisal methods, we are going to look inside the world of automated valuation models (AVM's) as they are used by internet websites to answer the question "What's my home worthnow? We’ll discover the good, the bad, and the “I hope they don’t find out” details of this growing world of computer generated valuation services.

Most of us have heard the national names that provide free property valuations.

Companies like Zillow, Trulia, Domania, eappraisal, cyberhomes, and even Yahoo are using AVM's to post information on the value of your family's home, your neighbor's, your boss's, any property across the country on their websites.

Automated Valuations

Models are estimates of residential property values using computer based statistical modeling software that compare recent sales data from public records. This information is a good start, but, statistical modeling does not equate to local market knowledge gained from the skill and experience of knowing the local market factors or specific transactions details unique to each property transaction.

Statistical modeling software won't know the transaction circumstances such as, the low sale after the divorce or the sale to quickly settle an estate or a bidding war because of a desirable location. According to appraisal specialists, local market knowledge is critical in determining the true value of real estate. Realtors® are a great source of that local market knowledge when listing or purchasing a home.

Elizabeth Childers

Pinehurst - Southern Pines Area Association of REALTORS®, INC. The Voice for Real Estate in the Sandhills www.pinehurstncrealtors.com Published every Friday by The Pilot in partnership with the PinehurstSouthern Pines Area Association of REALTORS, with a circulation of 19,000.

Deadline for the Sandhills Real Estate Guide is 5:00 pm on Tuesday.

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Time To Turn To A Tax Pro? As a majority of taxpayers are aware, owning property can bring significant tax savings.

But the proliferation of tax credits, home-based businesses, second homes, rental properties, and refinancing can also make do-it-yourself tax preparation a much bigger challenge.

If you need the help of a high-

ly trained tax pro, the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) can help. Because enrolled agents must demonstrate special competence and maintain their status through continuing education, many consider EAs the most experienced tax professionals. In fact, EAs are licensed by the federal government to represent you in

“I will provide an outstanding mortgage experience from application to closing” case of an audit.

To locate an enrolled agent in your area, call the NAEAs 24hour referral service at 1-800424-4339, and a list of nearby members will be sent to you.

Or, a roster of EAs can be found on the association’s web site at www.naea.org.

For a free consultation to discuss which type of mortgage loan will work best for you, call Victoria Spannaus at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage at (800) 741-7813 or 910-692-6225.

Reprinted with permission of The Printer, Inc.

It’s Your Life. Read All About It. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010

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Tax Benefits Increased on Energy-Efficient Home Improvements Home owners looking to save money on heating and cooling costs with energy-efficient improvements to their home can also benefit from a newly expanded federal tax credit.

In the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Obama, previous energy-efficiency credits were not only renewed, but were significantly improved. Before, home owners were able to recoup only 10 percent of the cost of each approved energy upgrade with the lifetime cap of $500. The new credit has tripled those amounts to 30 percent and $1,500, respectively.

According to Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical household spends about $2,000 a year on energy bills.

By incorporating Energy Star appliances and other energyefficient components to your home, they estimate a home owner can save about a third on his or her energy bill. The expanded tax credit money available to home owners on top of these savings is icing on the cake!

This is an excellent time for home owners to take advantage of these tax benefits to make positive changes in their home that will not only benefit them immediately, but over the long term as well.

What is included?

Tax credits are available at 30 percent of the cost, up to PAGE 10

$1,500, in 2009 and 2010 (for existing homes only) for: • Windows and doors • Insulation • Roofs (metal and asphalt) • HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) • Water heaters (non-solar) • Biomass stoves Tax credits are available at 30 percent of the cost, with no upper limit through 2016 (for existing homes & new construction) for: • Geothermal heat pumps • Solar panels • Solar water heaters • Small wind energy systems • Fuel cells Details on qualifying improvements are available on the Energy Star Web site at www.energystar.gov/taxcredits.

How to Claim the Credits Home owners can claim the 25C and 25D credits on IRS Form 5695 when they prepare their income tax returns. Be sure to retain records that include: • Name and address of the manufacturer • Identification of the component • Make, model or other appropriate identifiers • Statement that the component meets the 25C standards • Climate zones for which the criteria are satisfied • Additional information for

storm windows, if applicable Manufacturer’s certification — a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit.

Moore County is unique in there are many NAHB Certified Green Professional (CGP) contractors in our area. These builders and tradesman have received 24 hours of instruction and passed an examination

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certifying their expertise in green and energy efficient construction techniques. To find a Certified Green Professional to help make your home more energy-efficient, contact the Moore County Home Builders Association at www.mchba.com or 910-9442996. On the web or visit the home owners section of NAHB’s National Green Building Program Web site at www.nahbgreen.org.

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Save money on energy by preparing your heating and cooling system for winter (ARA) - Getting ready for winter often means changing to warmer clothes and taking stock of mittens and hats. But it's also a good idea to prepare your home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for winter, too - especially if you want to keep energy bills down.

Heating can account for almost half of the average family's winter energy bill, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Taking a few steps now will help your furnace and other heating components operate more efficiently throughout the winter, helping you save money.

American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning offers the following tips for winter home readiness: Program your thermostat. If you don't have a programmable thermostat, this is the year to

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010

get one. Resetting the temperature from a constant 72 degrees to 65 degrees for eight hours a day (perhaps during the day while you and your family are less likely to be home) can cut your heating bill by up to 10 percent, according to energy.gov. Some models even allow you to pre-set different temperatures for every day of the week according to your family's schedules.

Seal heating and cooling ducts. Leaks in the ducts that move air within your system can be big energy wasters. Sealing the ducts that run through attics, crawl spaces, unheated basements and garages can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent. Use duct sealant or metal-backed tape to seal the seams and connections, and then wrap the

ducts in insulation.

Upgrade to newer technology.

If your furnace is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient model. One furnace that exceeds the government's energy standards is the Freedom (R) 95 Comfort-R VariableSpeed Modulating Communicating Furnace. Made

by American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, it converts 95 percent or more of fuel you pay for into heat for your home. Instead of using onagain-off-again thermostat control, it uses temperature data from the thermostat to calculate its own heating cycle. It then adjusts the flame with a modulating valve for even, comfortable heat and precise fuel control. With the passage of the U.S. Economic Stimulus Bill, homeowners may be eligible for

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a tax credit if they purchase certain types of HVAC systems between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010. More information about the tax credit is available at www.americanstandardair.com and www.irs.gov.

Clean or replace filters. A dirty furnace filter can slow down the air flow in your heating system and make it work harder than necessary. Your furnace will work less hard, use less energy and last longer if you clean or replace filters monthly, or at minimum, every three months.

Schedule a winter checkup.

As you schedule checkups to keep your family healthy, do the same for your home's heating system. An HVAC professional can perform a routine maintenance checkup to ensure all components of your heating and cooling system are operating properly and safely, and advise you on ways to improve energy efficiency. To locate an independent American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning dealer, visit the American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning online dealer locator at www.americanstandardair.com.

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Get organized, save money, be happy (ARA) - A disorganized home wastes time, and time is money. It can be frustrating if you're constantly misplacing items, throwing out spoiled food that went missing in the kitchen and paying surcharges for unpaid bills that got lost in the shuffle. But it's easy to put a little happiness back into your life if you just get organized.

Here are some tips for getting your home - and your life - back in order.

Get organized Tackle one room at a time to get a sense of accomplishment right away. The kitchen is a logical place to start since it's typically the landing place for all things that get dropped while passing through, from cell phones to car keys to school notes. Get rid of visible countertop clutter. Throw out what you don't need and corral small items in great-looking woven baskets or pottery bowls.

Next, de-clutter behind the scenes in the drawers and cupboards. A few well-chosen cabinet accessories can help you here. A wood cutlery divider added to a crowded utensil drawer will keep your flatware in place, and give you a fighting chance at locating the pie server or pizza cutter. One option is Diamond Cabinet's easy-access, Wood Tiered Cutlery Divider, which has a top tier that slides back so you can organize more items. And, if you can't open a lower cabinet without a pile of pots and pans clattering to the floor, find your headache prevention in the Utility Storage Cabinet With Pot & Pan Pull-Out, featuring both a pot and pan rack and pantry pull-out within one cabinet.

Save money Designate a "home office central" so you can keep track of money matters and never miss a bill again. Carve out desk space in the kitchen or family room to sort mail and pay bills as they arrive, or to keep it all in one place until payday arrives. Everyday items can pull double duty to help you organize. Turn an attractive rectangular serving dish into an "inbox" for bills, and let a colorful coffee mug serve as a pen and pencil holder. While you're at it, why not use a wine rack to organize bills? A wine cabinet with an open, X-shaped interior can provide fashionable storage for your reds, whites and zinfandels, but it will also work perfectly fine for sorting and organizing bank statements, tax information and charitable contribution receipts. It can serve to sort a variety of other items, from mittens to small toys - just let your imagination be your guide.

Be happy As long as you're making a few changes around the house, kick up your mood with color. Be on the lookout as you organize drawers, cabinets and closets for items that can be used as accessories to brighten up your home - dig out that collection of baseball caps in team colors and display it on pegs in the mudroom; turn a red metal toy truck into a conversation piece for the mantel; re-cover old pillows in fun new colors and throw them on the couch. Cheer up cabinets with fashionable finishes in inspiring colors that make you feel good, such as buttery Honeysuckle, warm Cider, spicy Sangria or the soothing blue-grey tones of Tidal Mist, all from Diamond Cabinets. Visualize the possibilities at www.diamondcabinets.com. With these simple changes, you'll not only get organized, but you'll save money and feel happier about it, too. — Courtesy of ARAcontent PAGE 14

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010

Out & About in Real Estate Keep us involved Send us your event photos to share with the community.

Submit digital photos accompanied by caption information to mwood@thepilot.com.

"Area real estate brokers attend the Middle Eastern Buffett lunch, hosted by Bill Sahadi of Fore Properties held last week at 51 Abbottsford Dr. in Pinewild."

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