Virginia Real Estate Blog

I know there has been a lot of negative real estate news this week, but dont lose one important piece of information in the mix - mortgage rates hit record lows this week! 

Here is the quote  "Mortgage rates fell to the lowest level in decades for the ninth time in 10 weeks as concerns grow that the economy is weakening.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate for a 30-year fixed loan was 4.36 percent this week, down from 4.42 percent last week. That's the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971.

The average rate on 15-year fixed loan dropped to 3.86 percent from 3.90 percent the previous week. That's the lowest on records starting in 1991."

Look for a mortgage?  Contact your lender, or JD Scott at Monarch Morgage!

Well its seems that Going to the Dog House isn't as bad as it used to be! According to RISMEDIA and Move Inc, many people now select their homes with Man's Best Friend in mind! Do you do the same? I for one have been known to select my vehicle and my cars to suite the needs of my furry friends... Crazy? or just love?

Real Estate Goes To The Dogs

Here's one quote "homeowners are rewarding their dogs with custom-built doghouses, deluxe dog runs, custom "doggy-doors", pet-friendly landscaping, private patios with personal fire hydrants, and other features that add value to their master's property." FUN!

I had a chance to go off the beaten path in Stafford County VA this past weekend.  The Friends of the Rappahannock organized a hike in the Crow's Nest area of Virginia. If you are unfamiliar with this project, it is a gorgeous peninsula in Stafford County VA. This ~3,000 acre parcel was purchased by the State of Virginia and the County of Stafford to preserve it forever. 

This area off the beaten path in Stafford County VA is not open to the public at this time. To see this special place requires an special tour. Ours was provided by Paul Clark of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. He provided fabulous information about the plants and animal life and spoke to us, as we hiked, about the current problems the site is facing, such as invasive plants and run-off/grading issues.

If you want to experience this special area, check the DCR website or the Save Crows Nest site. The following day may be your chance:

Field day on Crow's Nest, November 7th The Department of Conservation and Recreation will hold a field day on Crow's Nest on Saturday, November 7, from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, with hiking trips leaving at 9:30 am and 1 pm. Reserve a spot by calling (804) 786-7951. DCR now also has a web page on Crow's Nest. We hope to see you on November 7th.

I love the logo for the group called Save Crow's Nest.  Very Cool the way they created the "S"

What a great time of year to install a rain barrel!   In this intense heat and periods of drought, is there a better way to be sure you always have water for your plants? I can't think of one...

Here is the rain barrel installed on our house. Though it is really easy to build your own rain barrel, we opted to support the great organization known as Friends of the Rappahannock and purchase ours from their collection.  My husband needed about 2 hours to install a rain barrel on our downspout.  Most of the time was required due to leveling of the soil prior to putting down the blocks for the stand. We chose to raise it so that we could fit our 2 gallon water bucket under the tap.

So how does this work for our house? In a recent period of about 3 weeks with NO RAIN, and I mean NO RAIN, we were just using the last of our water in the barrel when Mother Nature provided us a brief down pour. In that 30 minutes of rain, we were able to collect enough water to refill our barrel to its max capacity!  How cool is that!?? 

If you like plants and are concerned about water rationing or water conservation, be sure to install a rain barrel!  It really works!

Looking for homes in Fredericksburg, Stafford or the surrounding areas that have environmentally friendly upgrades? I can help!  Give me a call or check my website for more information!

150 years ago, more than 10,000 slaves sought to find freedom in Fredericksburg VA. Now, to document that effort and provide us with an opportunity to experience it, the Fredericksburg-Stafford-Spotsylvania Sesquicentennial Committee has launched the Trail to Freedom in Fredericksburg and Stafford County VA.

As noted on the website, trailtofreedom.com,

Presently, the Trail to Freedom encompasses sites in the City of Fredericksburg and Stafford County, Virginia. This region is located midway between Washington, D.C, and Richmond, Va. However, there are slaves known to have traveled from Caroline and King George Counties, and points farther away, traveling to this region on their journey to freedom. Many of the slaves that passed through here took steamships from Aquia Landing in Stafford County, arriving in Alexandria, Va. or Washington, D.C. It is envisioned that as research unfolds new evidence and the trail grows, trail markers will be placed in these connected communities as well.

Check out the website for trail maps, driving directions, historical interpretation and more.

Just a quick note so you have some of the July 4th weekend events in Stafford VA and Fredericksburg VA!

Dont see what you are looking for? The Rappahannock Regional Library has a great list of fireworks on their website!  Check it out here!

Enjoy Everyone!

SATURDAY, July 3rd

9:00am - Future Stafford Civil War Park tour. Meet @ Brooke VRE Station. 540-658-6324

10:00am-4:00pm - Street Festival @ Downtown Fredericksburg. 5-mile race, parade, entertainment, crafts, food, antique cars, children's activities, dunking booth.

10:00am-5:00pm - Fabulous 4th @ Ferry Farm  540-370-0732

11:00am-9:30pm - Stars & Stripes Weekend @ Potomac Pt Winery. 540-446-2266

11:30am - River Raft Race @ Falmouth Waterfront Park. 571-527-6517

6:00pm - Musical: "The Complete History of America (Abridged!)" @ Riverside Dinner Theater. 540-370-4300

7:00pm - Star-Spangled Concert @ Colonial Forge High School. 804-363-3132

SUNDAY, July 4th 11:00am-6:00pm - Stars & Stripes Weekend @ Potomac Point Winery. Live music 1pm-5pm. 540-446-2266

1:00pm - Musical: "The Complete History of America (Abridged!)" @ Riverside Dinner Theater. 540-370-4300

6:00-9:30pm FIREWORKS 6:00pm - Gates open @ Pratt Park (CARPOOL)

7:30pm - Music by Salvation Army Youth Corps 8:00pm - UMW Orchestra 9:00pm (or dusk) - Fireworks @ Pratt Park

Are you still on the fence about buying or 'moving up'?  Ths week, mortgage interest rates hits all time low.  What does that mean to home buyers?  You can purchase more home now!  So what are you waiting for?  Home prices have recovered a bit but great deals are out there so don't miss this chance!  Take advantage of the fact that mortgage rates hit an all time low and buy your home this summer! 

Need info or want to get pre-qualified?  Contact JD Scott at Monarch Mortgage to find out more about interest rates.

Ready to search for homes? Search NOW

Seems like there are always free things to do in Fredericksburg VA!  No need to stay home and wonder how you will spend your weekend! 

Don't have a home?  I can help with that - happy to show you properties that meet  your criteria - just give me a call search for homes in Fredericksburg VA or Stafford VA

Otherwise... consider the following options:

1.  First Friday - Free concerts downtown Fredericksburg - tonight 4 June is jazz/raggae band TRANSMITTERS

2. Antique Car Show at the Fredericksburg visitor center - Cool cars on display!  8am - 3pm

3.  The National Museum of the Marine Corps opened the doors to three new, major galleries on June 5th, 2010. he new galleries chronicle the legendary founding of the Corps in 1775, the Civil War and the U.S. global trade expansion in the 19th century and World War I. The new galleries also include a special interactive exhibit on John Philip Sousa, where visitors can experience a concert of their choosing by the President's Own Marine Corps Band.

4. Free concert SUNDAY at Chatham Manor on the Lawn - what a great way to spend the evening - starts at 7p!

5. June 5-6 Celebrating the Rappahannock River Located at Old Mill Park. Multiple events include: the 30th Whitewater Mid-Atlantic Canoeing and Kayaking Championships, Rappahannock River Easement Celebration, Paddle for a Cause, and Scout Challenge Race.

Tax credit extended for service members

Just a reminder: While the $8000 homebuyer tax credit expired for most of us on April 30, members of the U.S. military, foreign service, and intelligence communities have an extra year to claim the homebuyer tax credit.

As long as the qualified service member has been on extended duty outside of the United States for 90 days or more (between Jan. 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010), he or she has until April 30, 2011 to sign a sales contract and until June 30, 2011 to close on the property. 

Orders for Quantico?  Dahlgren? I can help. Looking for Fredericksburg Area Real Estate hor homes near Quantico?  I have the scoop on the housing market and can show you homes for sale in Fredericksburg VA!

I posted a few days ago about the Fredericksburg area housing market improving, using CANNON RIDGE in Fredericksbug area of Stafford county as an example. Since I already talked about this neighborhood of colonial homes in a great location I don’t need to do that again, but…

Importantly, as a followup, MRIS, the multiple list service here in the area, released Home in Cannon Ridge, Fredericksburg Home in Cannon Ridge, Fredericksburg Housing market statistics for the Washington region on 27 of April.

I want to share the following bullets from MRIS with you!:

* An increase in sales volume by more than 9 percent in the first quarter of 2010 over the same time a year ago.

* Sales prices posting gains in each of the first three months of the year, with prices in March 2010 increasing 3.3 percent over March 2009, and expected to continue gaining traction throughout 2010.

* An average of 71 days on market, a decline from an average of 110 days one year earlier, and the lowest time on market since 2006.

* The metro area containing 5.7 months worth of inventory, which is below the normal, healthy ratio of inventory to sales of 6 months, signaling that demand is beginning to outpace supply.

If you have been on the fence about buying a home or selling, things are looking good for you… the time is now! Contact me for more information or look for more market data on my website.