When A Village Makes Sense
August 12th, 2008 categories: Military Installations, Relocating
Years ago, many of us got a bit of a laugh when we heard a prominent U.S. politican remark that “it takes a village” to raise a child. Although, little did we know at the time that the remark was hardly original. It originated as an African proverb before finding its way the US political scene. But, village life does have its advantages, especially for those living the good life in Ladysmith Village (LSV), just South of Fredericksburg.
Ladysmith Village is an ideal location for just about anyone, regardless of family size, commuting choices, or home style. There are plenty of options for almost any desire.
For commuters, Ladysmith Village is perfectly situated between Richmond and Fredericksburg, making sense for those that work in the city but would rather live apart from the hustle and bustle that normally accompanies it. “Beltway Bandits” can take advantage of many of the same commuting options common to I95; car & van pools, buses, and just north in Fredericksburg, the train. For military personnel, LSV’s central location makes it an easy option for those stationed north on I95 at Quantico, Ft. Belvoir, Ft Myer, the Pentagon, or other locations, or those who heading East towards NSWC Dahlgren.
Communtiy amenities abound. The Residents Community Center is second to none and includes:
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An eight lane pool surrounded by an expansive deck , a kiddy pool & spray fountain, and large barbecue area.
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Conference Rooms
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Fitness Center
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Media Facility
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Banquet Area
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Large Kitchen
An ideal location for wedding receptions, business meetings, or community get-togethers.
Other community attractions include the Ampitheater, Public Library, Elementary School, and walking and hiking trails. Additionally, the Village’s South River Sanctuary is the perfect get away for those looking to enjoy the beauty of the Virginia countryside.
The community’s home styles range from ranchers to colonials. One plan includes an optional one bedroom apartment above the garage. You can choose from five participating builders and their various models:
1) Aaronal Homes ; 2) Atlantic Builders; 3) The Christopher Companies ; 4) Snead Custom Homes; 5) Spear Builders
The abundance of home choices makes it easy to find something suitable for just about anyone. Prices range from $180,000 - $500,000+. So, as you can see, there are plenty of options.
Ladysmith Village offers location, convenience and community. With so much at the tip of your fingers, whether it’s recreation, community get-togethers, or just relaxing, its small town charm makes this an attractive place to call home.
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From Where I Sit
June 23rd, 2008 categories: Relocating
My daily morning cup of coffee is normally accompanied by a review of the morning’s news. One of the places I turn first for fresh career related information is an interesting blog site, the BloodHoundBlog. The “Bloodhound” is a blog different than your routine real estate information site. As a matter of fact, some might see it more as a real estate agent boiling pot, or revolution in the making. Many of its contributors are the “underground” pioneers who are changing face of real estate marketing. Its author, Greg Swann, describes the blog’s mission this way:
“Welcome to BloodhoundBlog, the national real estate industry marketing and technology weblog written by, for and about realestate professionals. Better yet, welcome to the wired world of real estate. We are busily inventing Real Estate 2.0 — technology, marketing, service and salesmanship. Like all Bloodhounds, we are smart, frisky and fiercely independent. We are committed to an idea of excellence that will flush the bums, the con-men and the crybabies out of the real estate industry. If you yearn to have your failures excused, your moral lapses absolved or your boo-boos kissed, seek elsewhere. But if you are sick to death of mediocrity — welcome home.”
One of their more recent blog articles entitled, The world you find is the world you’re looking for… , reminded me of a tale about attitude that I heard many years ago. Like many, I, too, have a tendency to complain and whine at times. Life can get the best of us every now and then, and it’s worthwhile to be reminded that it really is how we look at things that makes all the difference in the world. That story goes something like this….
A family, the Novaks, were moving from a city in Pennsylvania to a small western town. They had packed everything in their SUV, made the cross country trip, and were pulling into the outskirts of their small town they would call home. As they got close to town, they decided to pull into what looked like an old convenience store or service station with a porch out front. As they pulled up, they noticed three older gentlemen on the porch in chairs talking to one another and seemingly enjoying each other’s company. As the Novaks headed into the store, one of the older gentleman got up to say “Hi” while at the same time asking Bob Novak if he could assist him in anyway. Bob responded to the older man by informing him that the Novaks had been transferred to a new job in this town, and that they were just arriving after driving cross country from Pennsylvania. Bob then asked the older man what they could expect in this new town, what was it like? After commenting that he hoped their cross country trip had gone well, and before directly answering Bob’s question, the older man asked Bob what the city was like that he had come from? Bob responded that the Novaks didn’t really care too much for Harrisburg. The traffic was bad, his wife didn’t find too much to get inolved with, it was difficult for their kids to ever find activities that they liked, and that it just didn’t seem to suit them very well. As he patiently listened to Bob’s words, a warm smile appeared on the older man’s face. When Bob finished speaking, the older man, placing his hand on Bob’s shoulder, looked at him, and replied that he was sorry to inform him that this new town, his new home, was alot like the town he had come from.
A week later, another family, relocating to that small western town, pulled into that same convenience store. Like the Novaks, the Parker family had travelled hundreds of miles cross country in their move to this town they would call their new home. As they had every weekday morning for the past ten years, the same three older gentlemen were gathered on the convenience store’s porch enjoying one another’s company. As the Parkers got out of their car and headed into the store, one of the older men stood up to greet Jack Parker who was heading for the store’s front door. The older man stuck out his hand to shake Jack’s hand while asking him how he could assist him. Jack Parker responded by informing the older man that his family was moving to the town and had just driven cross country, but had decided to stop at the convenience store before heading into town. Jack then asked the older man if he could tell him a little bit about the town. The man responded by saying he was glad they had taken a break and stopped before proceeding into town. But, then, before answering Jack’s question, he asked Jack what the city was like that he had come from. Smiling, Jack responded that they were sorry they had to move. They loved the city they had moved from. Jack’s wife was involved in different women’s social groups, the kids were involved in various sporting activites, not to mention Scouts, and the family was busy in a local church where they developed some lasting, enduring friendships. It was very difficult to leave a city they all enjoyed so much. As he listened, the older man couldn’t help but smile and slowly nodded his head. When Jack was finished, the older man leaned forward, placed his hand on Jack’s shoulder and said, “Jack, I think you’ll find that our town is alot like that.”
Life can be tough and unforgiving at times. And, as we’ve all heard, “No one said it was going to be easy.” Life is a season of lessons learned, so, let’s make the most of them. Or, as Hubert Humphrey said:
“Oh, my friend, it’s not what they take away from you that counts. It’s what you do with what you have left.”
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Today’s Housing Numbers, Then There’s the Good News
April 29th, 2008 categories: Market Trends, Real Estate News
In a survey released today by Standard & Poor’s, home prices have posted another record decline. The S&P Case Shiller Home Price Index, which tracks 20 of the nation’s largest housing markets, showed prices falling by 12.7% in the 12 months ending February. According to the Indices, 17 of those 20 markets posted their largest year-over-year declines ever. The good news for those of us from the Washington D.C. metropolitan area is that Las Vegas was the hardest hit with a drop of 22.8 percent. Ours, on the other had, was a decline of 13 percent. If historical home prices are something you’d like to look at, visit the S&P homeprice history which they’ve been tracking for more than 21 years. 
For anyone paying attention to the market, this price drop should not come as a complete surprise. With an increasing amount of foreclosed and short sale properties on the market, downward pressure on home prices are par for the course. According to RealtyTrac, the leading online marketplace for foreclosed properties, March figures show a 60% increase of foreclosure properties compared to last year. While this market information isn’t what sellers want to hear, the good news is, their focus shouldn’t change when marketing their home.
SELLERS
The keys to success at selling a home don’t change with the market. While there are a number of key components to properly market your home, three critical keys are:
- Understanding Your Market
- Remember - Prices and market conditions vary depending on time, location and the condition of your home.
- Have Your Home in SHOW Condition
- Especially in today’s buyer’s market, make sure your home shows like new, if possible. Hiring a staging professional may well be worth the expense. Remember the old saying, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” So, make the most of it!
- Price It Right
- While the first two keys are vital, pricing it right may be the most important decision you make. One of difficulties in today’s market, is an appreciation by sellers of current market conditions. That is why it is extremely important to depend upon the pro, your Realtor, for advice on the price. It is their domain - let them do their job, and listen. Any good agent will give you the support data used to support their recommendation. Trust them. Hopefully, their price justification will reinforce why you chose them in the first place to market your home.
For buyers, things don’t get much better….
BUYERS
As mentioned in an earlier blog entry, today’s market is about as good as it gets for the prospective home buyer. Inventories are at record levels, and interest rates are extremely low. Outside of a complete market collapse (in that case, we’ll have bigger worries than the diminishing value of our home), buyers and investors can almost pick and choose their next home.
If you do decide to make a trip to your local county Courthouse for the auctioning of homes, make sure your Realtor has clearly explained what’s involved. While there are great deals to be had at the Courthouse steps, make sure you show up with money in hand. Yes, a Cashier’s check will work. Again, if it’s your first auction, make sure and do your home work.
However, if you’re buying your next home the old fashioned way, give your Realtor a call. For the home buyer, refer to these 10 Critical Steps as you begin your journey. And, remember, in this market, the numbers are your friend.
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It’s Still a Numbers Game
April 14th, 2008 categories: Real Estate News, Relocating
Now that the Masters golf tournament is over for another year, the Spring house hunting season has officially begun.
Each year, about mid-April, the Northern Virginia housing market begins to heat up. For those planning a reassignment or relocation to the area, late April to mid-June is when the buyers come to town in droves. These days, it appears to be the ideal time for that Spring house hunting trip. With temperatures in the 60s & 70s, blue skies & a comforting breeze, the conditions make it less of a chore and more an invition to enjoy the natural experience of the journey. And, today’s local paper, the Free Lance Star made the thought of buying more inticing for many. While the front page headline “HOUSING PRICES IN TWO-YEAR DIVE”, wasn’t telling us anything we didn’t already know, the account made a number of valid points.
John McClain, the deputy director of George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis, whose has closely studied housing trends in the Washinton Metro area since the mid 1970s, says the market’s advance until 2004 was a reaction to years of price stagnation and increases in job and wage growth. Additionally, McClain contends, as do many other market experts, that “irrational exuberance”, coupled with:
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Low interest rates
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Lax lending standards
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The expectation of many homebuyers for a substantial return on their investment
resulted in an economic or housing bubble, that was doomed to burst sooner or later.
According to GMU, 10-12 percent of the total listings in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties are short sales or foreclosures. The building boom, coupled with the high rate of foreclosures and short sales have resulted in a home inventory that is extremely high, the perfect storm for home buyers. Will these conditions last long? It may be difficult to predict the future of the home market, or the overall economy. But, one thing is certain, it took years of bad credit, bad loans, and bad decisions to get us into this mess. There’s no reason to think that the journey to clearer skies for the housing market won’t take just as long. For any home buyer, that’s a deal too good to be true!
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