According to statistics compiled by the North Carolina Association of Realtors, 91,977 residential units were sold in 2003 on an adjusted basis, surpassing the previous year’s figures by 16 percent. When combined with a 3 percent increase in the average sales price, total sales dollars for the year were up 19 percent to more than $17 billion.

Resort communities and metro areas led the strong sales growth; with Brunswick County posting the largest percentage increase in sales (46 percent), followed by the Triangle, Greenville, Asheville, Goldsboro and Wilmington. The strongest price appreciation also came from the resort markets, with Brunswick County showing a 17 percent increase in average sales price, followed by a 14 percent increase in the Outer Banks.

With more than 28,000 members, the North Carolina Association of Realtors, Inc. is the voice of the real estate profession and one of the largest, most influential associations in North Carolina.

Attends Convention

The annual convention of the Custom Tailors and Designers Association of America (CTDA) will be in Las Vegas, NV in February.

The staff of Sewing By Design at 205 McCaskill Road in Pinehurst invites their customers to call with any requests for specialty fabrics or needs prior to the event. The convention not only offers updates in all the newest equipment for professional tailors and designers, but also has suppliers of fabrics and notions, says owner Beverly Pasternak.

The phone number is 295-6169.

Landis Certified

Dan Landis of Southern Pines completed a comprehensive study last month given by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors to become a certified senior adviser.

Successfully passing the thorough exam and receiving the CSA designation means that Landis has taken the initiative to become a leader in understanding the key needs and issues concerning senior citizens. The Society of Senior Advisors is dedicated to addressing the continuing education needs of professional regarding new developments, practices, and research concerning senior citizens.

Professionals today are trained in a variety of fields such as medicine, law, health care, financial planning, and recreation but are rarely educated about the changing needs of today’s seniors. In the United States, seniors (age 65 and older) now number 35 million, and the ranks are growing rapidly.

Two-thirds of all people who have lived past the age of 65 in the history of the world are alive today. The current life expectancy of 76 years is the highest it has ever been in human history.

As a certified senior adviser, Landis will participate annually in continuing education provided by the Society about seniors and the topics of concern to seniors and the people and businesses working with them. Continuing education ensures that Landis will remain in the forefront of dynamic developments that affect the senior market.

FAA Issues License

Dr. Glen Subin, an orthopaedic surgeon and a commercial pilot, recently recertified his appointment as an aviation medical examiner.

Subin’s interest in flying began during his undergraduate years at Duke University, and he received his private pilot license at Horace Williams Airport in Chapel Hill.

Subin is a multi-engine instrument commercially rated pilot, and owns a Beech Baron airplane. He has been doing aviation medical examinations for the FAA for the past 6 years.

Private pilots require medical certificates to be eligible to fly. First-class medical certificates are held by airline pilots and are good for six months. Commercial and charter pilot’s certificates are class II certificates and are good for 12 months.

Private pilot’s certificates are class III certificates and are good for 24 months.

Subin does second and third class medical examinations for the FAA. Interested pilots can contact Subin at Mid-South Orthopaedic. The phone number is (910) 295-4500.

Elected to Soccer Board

During the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA) annual meeting, held in January in Greensboro, Caleb K. Miles of Southern Pines was elected to serve a two-year term on the Executive Board as vice president- classic.

In this capacity, Miles will work with NCYSA staff in planning and administrating the state classic soccer program and season-ending state cup tournaments for more than 9,000 youth soccer players across the state.

Miles completed a three-year term on the Sandhills Youth Soccer League Board in November 2003. He served as treasurer and vice president of the league.

He also was instrumental in helping secure the area’s first major soccer event, when Moore County hosted soccer players, parents and workers from six states for Olympic Development Program (ODP), girls sub regional training and competition. More than 1,200 people attended this prestigious event, which provided Moore County with a significant economic impact, which provided the opportunity to host other soccer events in the future.

Miles has been president and CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area for the past 15 years.

“It’s a privilege and pleasure to serve on the state soccer board and work with the talented staff at NCYSA,” Miles said. “Soccer continues to grow and prosper in North Carolina, and here in Moore County, and it all starts at the youth level. We are very fortunate to have one of the best state soccer programs in the country.”

Morton Named

Marion Morton of Broker/Realtor has been named the exclusive real estate professional to represent the community of Pinehurst on HomeRoute’s Homes101.net consumer Web site.

Homes101.net combines the ease and immediacy of doing real estate business over the Internet. Consumers are able to receive information on local events and businesses within the community as well as professional relocation services specific to buying, selling or owning a home.

To help launch this community service, Marion Morton and Homes101 are offering a drawing to award four people $1,000 off closing costs on the purchase or sale of real estate.

For additional information, please contact Marion Morton or register online at http://marionmorton.homes101.net. To visit the community of Pinehurst on HomeRoute’s Homes 101.net, visit http://