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Southern Pines Office
730 S Bennett St., Suite A
Southern Pines, NC 28387
Phone: (910) 692-0770
Jo-an@DeSellandCo.com
The DeSell & Co. Team
Each member of the DeSell & Co. Realty Group team is here to add specific expertise in residential homes, commercial real estate, horse farms, investment properties, and undeveloped land throughout the Moore County, NC area. Click each team member below to learn more about our passionate, experienced Southern Pines real estate group.
Jo-an DeSell
Owner / Broker | 910-690-6126
Jo-an was born in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and she grew up on a waterfront property in the town of Annapolis. Enjoying the waterfront life, she took to boating, fishing, swimming, and waterskiing, but she found her real love a few years later when she discovered horses and riding.
After the purchase of her first horse, Jo-an began competing in hunter, jumper, and equitation shows. After great success in the junior ranks, she became a professional horsewoman. Jo-an opened her barn in 1969, specializing in training, instruction, and boarding, which she continued to run for the next 30 years. She also judged more than 20 hunter/jumper and equitation shows over the course of her professional career.
In 1986, Jo-an’s career drew her to Southern Pines, NC because of the world-renown Walthour Moss Foundation, including over 4,000 acres of land preserved for all disciplines of riding, from carriage driving to fox hunting. She wintered for the next thirteen years in Southern Pines before making it her permanent residence in January of 2000.
Eventually retiring from the horse business and moving to the “horse country” of Southern Pines, Jo-an designed and built her current residence, where she is able to maintain her love of horses as well as explore her second passion: real estate.
After acquiring her real estate license in 2000, Jo-an has since helped hundreds of buyers and sellers acquire and sell the property, enabling them to achieve their dreams and bring about the future they really want for themselves and their families. Aside from owning investment property consisting of commercial real estate, raw land, and rental homes, Jo-an is knowledgeable and informed about a wide range of real estate, allowing her to help clients with their investment and 1031 Tax Exchange properties. Jo-an is a “hands-on” broker who will keep you informed from the beginning of your experience to the end, and her clients consider her their “go to” agent for all their Moore County, NC real estate needs.
Jo-an has served 3 years on the board of directors for the Southern Pines-Pinehurst Area Association of Realtors. She has also been president of her Yadkin Run Owners Association as well as serving on the association’s board for several years.
Elizabeth Childers
Broker | 910-690-1995
Elizabeth is a native North Carolinian. As the daughter of a minister who moved to different parts of the state, she was able to experience the many opportunities North Carolina offers. Because making new friends came easily to her, Elizabeth has been able to nourish life-long friendships and business relationships in her real estate career over the years.
Elizabeth and her family moved to the Sandhills in 1983. They fell in love with the “lifestyle” Moore County offers: Historic village and homes, small towns, horse farms and the Walthour-Moss Foundation, golf courses, in proximity to medical facilities, good schools and community college. It seemed natural for Elizabeth to turn the love she had for the area into helping others find their dream home and experience the Sandhills for themselves.
Elizabeth is extremely artistic and delights in helping her buyers and sellers envision a new home or prepare one for sale. She listens carefully to her clients to help them achieve their real estate goals. She enjoys getting to know her buyers and sellers and handles each transaction from the beginning to the completion. The biggest reward Elizabeth receives is referrals and repeat business from past clients and friends.
Elizabeth is a member of the local real estate association, NC Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. She received her real estate license in 1987 and has served on various local and state committees and boards. She was president of the Moore County Board of Realtors in 1995 and 2005 and received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 and Realtor of the Year in 1996.
When Elizabeth is not busy with real estate, she enjoys being with her family, grandchildren, gardening and being in her art studio.
Kathy Virtue
Broker | 910-695-9101
Kathy and her husband, Chris have lived in Southern Pines since 1990 and the majority of it being in “Horse Country” with their family and horses. In her previous career of 35 years, she owned and operated a sports marketing firm within NASCAR.
The opportunity for a change arose so Kathy, who was increasingly intrigued by real estate, decided to pursue her license several years ago for her own use and recently became interested in helping others through the journey of home ownership. With Kathy’s knowledge of the area and business background, she is equipped to help both buyers and sellers.
Kathy has always respected and admired the professionals at DeSell & Co. Realty Group and is honored to join their talented team. When Kathy is not working, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, four children, and two grandchildren on their farm or horseback riding and playing golf.
Karen Donaldson
Broker
(864) 276-5989
Karen@DeSellandCo.com
Licensed in both NC and SC. With over 15 Years in Residential Real Estate, Karen specializes in
Equestrian Properties, Country Homes with Acreage and also enjoys working with conventional
Single-Family homes. Additionally, Karen has a special interest in Historic Properties. With more than
30 years as a professional rider/trainer/coach in Equitation, Hunter/Jumper, Dressage and Three-Day,
Karen understands the needs of horse people across these disciplines. She also has a clear
understanding of the specific needs of other disciplines including Western, Endurance, Breed Specific
and Trail/Pleasure riders.
“There are often different needs and requirements regarding the physical layout of a horse property,
depending on its intended use. For instance: Logistics, topography, number of acres, turn-out options,
type of barn(s) and/or shelters, number of stalls and stall sizes, arena size and footing (if present),
riding space, access to trails, distance to equestrian venues, trail systems and more. Some Buyers can
do with 5 acres, while others may need 10, 20, 30 acres, or more. Considering specific requirements
and desires is key in meeting the Buyer client needs. For Sellers of an Equestrian property, it equally
important to list specific details of the farm, including great pictures and a floor plan of the barn and
grounds as well as the home! The more information a seller can provide about their property to a
potential buyer, the better. This is important for any seller, but especially for those marketing any kind
of specialty property.” Karen’s equestrian knowledge and her fascination with historic properties have
proved beneficial when assisting both buyers and sellers with these kinds of specialized properties.
Karen is a former board member and chairman of the development committee with the SC Upstate
Equine Council and has been a member of USEF, USDF and USHJA. Over the years, Karen has had
four different small boutique boarding and training facilities with locations in Olney, Maryland, Atlanta,
GA, Clemson, SC and recently closed her last stables near Lillington, NC. Karen was consultant and
project manager for the construction of the Chateau Elan’ Equestrian Center near Atlanta and has also
consulted for other equestrian properties, both commercial and private. She enjoyed learner judging at
some USEF venues while in Maryland and has judged at local hunter/jumper shows in Georgia, SC and
NC.
As a vocal major in college, she is an opera buff and former musical comedy performer. She was part of
a USO group to the Far East while in college and sang with a jazz trio and a touring pop group in her
youth. In her down time Karen still enjoys singing and playing around with her piano, spending time
with her daughter and two grandchildren and has recently taken up photography as a new hobby.