Marching boldly through broken housing markets was routine for the fearless leader/developer of Southern Shores!  Accounts of Frank Stick’s slumps and crashes throughout the 1920’s and 30’s rival any modern day real estate wild ride. He developed his Southern Shores dream when there was limited road access, scarce lumber and absolutely no interest from buyers! In fact, to finance his dream he custom-built those big houses in Nags Head, now known as Millionaire’s Row. Yep, those wealthy folks from Elizabeth City financed our town’s development. There were no obstacles too high or too wide!      When he found no buyer interest in undeveloped lots, he had to build.When there was no lumber, Stick and Curtis Gray simply built a factory right in Southern Shores to make cinder block out of bea... 02/13/2013

The Outer Banks is a nature lovers delight, and nowhere is this more evident than in Southern Shores.  Due to the vision of one man, Frank Stick, a well known environmentalist, wildlife painter and land developer, our unique community thrives within it’s natural beauty instead of in spite of it. The odd combination of his interests and career choices created a rare town unseen in other resorts.  The 2600 acres Stick bought for $30,000 in 1947 and now worth over $450 million, were the canvas for his vision of a 4 square mile stretch from the ocean to the sound that would provide a haven for it’s wildlife, plant life and residents.  Our unique canal system offers boating, boat docks and an elegant home for our waterfowl. Nature and residential living meet uncompromisingly here with beach ... 02/10/2013

The dilemma of worthless pens has been on my mind lately, most likely because every darn pen on my desk seems to be out of ink!   I've wondered how they could all stop working at the same time.  It's felt like something very strange was happening, something unreal.  Then it dawned on me.... I never throw out the used ones.  I just put them back in that little cup thing and try them again.  Where did I learn this system of pen rotation?  What warped upbringing have I had that compels me to repeat the same unrewarding behavior time after time expecting to find a working pen? Yes, I do have a difficult time with change at times.  But I love buying new shoes and throwing out the old ones.  Why are pens any different?   And how did all these pens get to my desk?  Some have advertising on the... 08/27/2012

    Oceanfront 220 Ocean Boulevard Gorgeous Ocean Views - 5 Bedrooms 4.5 Baths   Semi-Oceanfront 219 Ocean Boulevard Semi Oceanfront - 7 Bedrooms 7 Baths 2 Partial Baths Soundfront 161 Yaupon Trail Soundfront Second Home - 4 Bedrooms 2 Baths   Canalfront 120 Duck Woods Drive Lots of Extras - Boat Dock - 3 Bedrooms 2.5 Baths Golf Course Frontage 88 South Dogwood Trail Duck Woods Country Club Course - 3 Bedrooms 3.1 Baths 5 Bedroom Westside 146 Poteskeet Loop Private - Pool - 5 Bedrooms 4.1 Baths 4 Bedroom Westside 22 Ocean View Loop Ocean Access - Pool - 4 Bedrooms 2.1 Baths 3 Bedroom Westside 311 Hillcrest Drive Attached Garage - X Flood Zone - 3 Bedrooms 3 Baths Sea Crest Village 10 Ninth Avenue 3 lots oceanfront - custom pool - 4 Bedrooms 2.5 Baths Chicahauk 82 Spindrift Trail Wood fl... 01/17/2012

This is the conclusion to my predictions of the future of the Real Estate Market on the Outer Banks.  In Part 1 we discussed if and when prices will get back to what they once were.  In Part 2 we discussed the role that the Mid-Currituck Bridge will possibly play on real estate values for the communities between Northern Duck and the Virginia state line.  Now we can look into the possible future of the other areas of the northern Outer Banks.  Once again I must remind everyone that my "crystal ball" before in my life and it could be way off on this one too.  Only time will tell. As I have stated before the markets will be affected differently at different stages of construction.  Where I believe the "Mini Boom" will be felt in the beginning of the construction of the Mid-Currituck Bridg... 11/29/2010

 This was clear to those of us who knew Steve Thomas - he was amazingly different from his peers.  Modeling and DJing aside, Steve had layers of characteristics that took time for us to discovered.  Outwardly he was a performer.  Inwardly, he was a caring human being, a devoted father,a loyal friend and a beach lover as well as a man of service.  I remember the first time I met Steve.  He was in the Food Lion with his daughters in tow.  To call him Mr. Mom would have been too limiting; he seemed to be their whole world.  As the years passed, he continued in this role no matter what other circumstances developed in his own life.  He was a daily presence in their lives, an integral part of their growing and learning, of their sports and music.  But wait, there is more.  Steve spread his ... 10/27/2010

Southern Shores Real Estate and Luxury Homes for Sale The town of Southern Shores is so diversified that you must see it to truly appreciate it. Beautiful ocean front and ocean side homes are just a small part of the luxurious life style you'll find here. Search Southern Shores Luxury Homes for Sale. If you are one of those families looking to down size and live a simpler life, you'll find that Southern Shores Real Estate for sale offers that also. Browse through Southern Shores Real Estate for Sale. From the twisted live oaks, sea grasses and sandy yards on the dune at Chicahaulk to the beautifully manicured lawns and and tree lined streets along Dogwood Drive near the Duck Woods golf course, Southern Shores real estate and luxury homes for sale can offer the style of living you seek. ... 08/05/2010

Southern Shores Homes for Sale Under $500,000 on the Outer Banks See ALL Southern Shores Homes for Sale under $500,000 on the Outer Banks with this up to date Outer Banks MLS listing link. Enjoy browsing through all the current Southern Shores MLS listings provided through the Outer Banks Multiple Listing Service. Got questions? E-mail me or call me at 252-599-2845 for answers on location, features, and price. I'm here to help you make your Outer Banks dreams come true. Southern Shores neighborhoods offer the best of beach amenities. Choose if you want closer to the ocean perhaps as a second home with rental income or in a more traditional year round neighborhood. Southern Shores homes for sale under $500,000 still provide the great amenities the town offers. Beach access and parking. P... 07/30/2010

Is there a sensible solution to the BP oil spill catastrophe?  Perhaps there is.  The video link below will take you to an amazingly simple way to absorb the oil while cleaning up the mess with all natural materials.   It seems all the tools are readily available, inexpensive and easy to use.    OK, I know this sounds crazy.  The government doesn’t do simple, easy or cheap; usually the chosen solutions are complicated, difficult to administer and expensive.  I mean, Kevin Costner’s invention from Water World?  Really?  It wasn't even a good movie! If, after you view this video, you feel a glimmer of hope, please pass it on to everyone you know plus your government representatives.  Perhaps the EPA guys will see it on twitter!! Hey, it is worth a try before the oil gets to the Outer Bank... 06/14/2010

  The Town Council of Southern Shores announced today that Mr. J. Peter Rascoe has accepted the position of Town Manager for the Town of Southern Shores. Currently Mr. Rascoe is the County Manager for Chowan County.  He will assume his duties with the Town on June 9, 2010. Mr. Rascoe stated, "I am very excited about serving the Town of Southern Shores as its next Town Manager.  This is a great opportunity and I look forward to working with the Town Council, The Town Staff and all the citizens of Southern Shores to make this an even better place to live. Mr. Rascoe has been with Chowan County since 1999, the last two years as County Manager.  He is a commander in the US Coast Guard Reserve and previously worked as an attorney with the North Carolina Attorney General's Office.  He also m... 05/12/2010

Recent Vacant Land Sales January 2010 1-19-10    7 Kingfisher Trail    $325,000 February 2010 2-5-10   93 Trinitie Trail        $191,900 2-9-10      43 Spindrift Trail     $220,000 2-10-10    97 Trinitie Trail     $179,000 2-10-10   1 Seventh Avenue     $1,200,000 2-22-10   125 Duck Woods Dr    $100,000 April 2010 4-20-10   216 Wax Myrtle Trail     $144,900 04/22/2010

January 2010  1-8-10   101 High Dune Loop $595,000 1-11-10 274 Hillcrest Drive $460,00 1-21-10 33 Pintail Court $540,000 1-21-10 11 Fern Lane $325,000 1-29-10  141 Clam Shell Trail  $485,000 February 2010 2-9-10 4 Ocean Boulevard $701,000 2-12-10 253 Ocean Boulevard $470,000 2-17-10 72 Poteskeet $337,500 2-17-10 4 Foxwood Circle $259,500 2-18-10  19 Ginguite Trail  $578,410 2-19-10  244 Sea Oats Trail  $290,000 2-25-10 8 Ocean Boulevard  $805,000 2-26-10 33 Foxwood Circle $214,000 March 2010 3-2-10 175 Clamshell $399,900 3-5-10 3 Fern Lane $397,000 3-8-10 6 Mallard Cove Loop $340,000 3-15-10   219 Wax Myrtle Trail   $280,000 3-31-10  10 Fifth Street  $515,000 3-17-10  110 Turtle Pond Court   $325,000 3-31-10  201 Mizzen Mast Lane  $650,000 April 2010 4-1-10  6 Ocean Boulevard  $825,000... 04/22/2010

Recently I found two lists of fruits and vegetables; The Dirty Dozen and Clean 15.  What was interesting to me was finding 15 different produce items that do not necessarily need to be grown organically in order to be safe for consumption.  They are the lowest in pesticide residue, not free of pesticides.  I thought that was a positive approach to safe food choices, especially in today's economy.  Organic is typically more expensive (and worth it) but why not also choose to save a little money from time to time without the worry about your or your family’s health being compromised?   Here are the two lists along with a link to more information. www.foodnews.org Clean 15 (Lowest In Pesticides)           The Dirty Dozen (Buy Organic) 1.  Onion                                              ... 03/30/2010

Last week I posted a lament about how cold, rainy weather dampens the luster on a beach resort and slows interest in the second home and investment markets.   The very next day following that pitiful post we had one of the most extraordinary days ever here on the Outer Banks which I ran outside to photograph, of course. Within days the weather changed so many times that I became confused about which outerwear to use!  One day rain, the next an inch of snow, followed by a gorgeous beach day with sunshine, warm temperatures and the bluest sky ever! So I am sharing some photos here that illustrate our diverse climate conditions this winter and my decision to embrace the weather no matter what!  After all, nature has an intrinsic beauty, even if lacking a monetary value at times.  I still l... 02/13/2010

I love Southern Shores!  I was a young girl the first time I saw the beach at Sea Crest Village. It was the late 1950’s and we were almost the only family here!!  My father's friend had a home on Third Avenue where our family of 8, plus the dog, stayed for a week.  No air conditioning, but who noticed!  There was a sleeping porch that caught the ocean breeze and hundreds of frogs in the pond croaking all night. It was heaven!   We played with the dolphins, collected big conch shells, swam in the warm water and rode our bikes all over the Outer Banks. This was many years before there even was a Corolla!  No phones, TV or even radio then.  Just a portable record player with vinyl that drove our parents nuts!!   In 1971, my parents built their own beach house on Third Avenue where every ye... 01/22/2010

Thanks to Stephen Graham at ActiveRain, I am now free of extraneous HTML code!!   After I deleted my blog signature as he advised I still had all that nasty code all over my blogs!! I even deleted some of my blogs and that did not help.  Now they are just gone. Finally, the answer!  I was supposed to delete the HTML code that represented my signature!  I had to hit the dreaded HTML tab first which I was loathed to do.  But it worked. Now I can begin blogging again!  Thanks, Stephen! 01/15/2010

Today I emerged from 10 days of a flu that exceeded my worse fears, that pain can actually cause death. For 5 days I was unable to move.  For 2 days I moved a little, then a little more.  For all 10 days I could not put together a sentence, answer the phone, let the dog out or sleep.  And yet, from the messages I received from other agents, I realized that there are at least 5 Myths circulating the Outer Banks about an idle, ill real estate agent.  Myth #1 You must be bored and anxious to do something! Good thing you have that new listing to write up. Myth #2 You will feel better if you get productive.  This isn’t a vacation, you know. Myth #3 This is a good time to catch up on those marketing phone calls since you have time to really chat them up. Myth #4 How nice that you have quiet t... 12/07/2009

Outer Banks NC Real Estate Sales - the Southern Shores Market Outer Banks NC real estate sales - the Southern Shores Market information as of 11/15/09 For additional information including all homes, condos, town homes and land for sale in Southern Shores NC, please visit Southern Shores Property for Sale. You can search here for price range and neighborhoods. Current homes for sale in Southern Shores     Number of homes for sale - 95     Average asking price - $842,891     Average days on market - 225 Homes under contract in Southern Shores     Number of homes under contract - 7 Sold homes in Southern Shores since 1/1/09     Number of homes sold - 46     Average sold price - $576,606     Sale price/asking price - 83%     Average days on market - 182 Do you have questions about specific ... 11/15/2009

I used to live in Malibu CA and everyone asked me, “Why do you live where there are Fires, Mudslides and Earthquakes every year?”.  Now I live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and the same folks ask “How can you live where there are Hurricanes, and Nor’easters?”.But you already know the answer;  it is beautiful, the oceans are breathtaking and I am not looking for safety.  I am content with paradise. Life is like that.  Adventure requires risk.  Status Quo requires, well, maintaining the same old same old.  That has never been my goal.  Real estate is a new career for me.  It was my last resort.  I did not choose it because of my love for real estate. On the Outer Banks, one of the few ways to earn a good living is selling real estate.  And I wanted to stay here after my job taking ... 11/14/2009

I have always had private health insurance I paid for myself as a self  employed middle class, working single parent.  When I turned 65 I had to enroll in Medicare plus purchase a “supplemental prescription plan and “supplemental medical plan” to have barely adequate coverage.  At a cost almost equal to my very expensive PPO with Blue Cross, I now have less coverage, the doctors get lower payments and I am suspect at a  doctor’s office because of my “medicare status “ until I explain that I have supplemental coverage and offer to pay the difference.  And I am in perfect health!Another article like the one by Ross Douthat of the NY Times accusing “elderly, retirees, seniors & over 65” of robbing the country of health care reform is silly.Get real.  Most everyone I know over 65 and under ... 09/14/2009