More Kudos: Virginia's Business Friendly Climate

Virginia is the place to live!

Forbes.com rates Virginia as the best state for business, the second year in a row. Read more in this article from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Newsletter:

Virginia Receives Top Rankings—Again—for its Business Friendly Climate

Katie Hellebush

For the second year in a row Virginia may tout its top business friendly ranking! Forbes.com named the Commonwealth of Virginia the “Best State for Business” again, and CNBC along with CNBC.com designated Virginia as their “Top State for
Business.”

The second consecutive number one ranking from Forbes.com highlighted the Commonwealth’s low unemployment rate, high quality of life and prospects for growth. Virginia placed number one in regulatory environment as well. Other considerations were cost of doing business and workforce.

CNBC, a far reaching financial news cable network, and CNBC.com examined states using 40 different measures of competitiveness in their study. These measures included cost of doing business, workforce, economy, education, quality of life, technology and innovation, transportation, cost of living, business friendliness, and access to capital. Virginia ranked in the top 15 of all but 2 categories. Texas, Utah, Georgia and North Carolina rounded out America’s top five states for business.

“It’s wonderful news that continues to give Virginia something to crow about in the international marketplace,” remarked Hugh Keogh, President & CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Virginia competes in the most competitive region of the United States and the ranking “has great practical value when it comes to recruiting businesses,” Keogh added.

Recently, both MeadWestvaco and Philip Morris USA moved their headquarters to the Richmond area resulting in major economic boosts. Still the Virginia Chamber continues its work to make the Commonwealth an even more attractive place to conduct business by advocating sound public policy to ensure a business friendly climate that encourages Virginia businesses to prosper and flourish.

Not to be outdone, Directorship magazine has ranked Virginia number 2 in the nation for its pro-business liability policies. This ranking was derived from a 50-state survey conducted by the American Justice Partnership, a national nonprofit coalition of leading corporations, think tanks, foundations, trade associations, individuals and organizations advocating for legal reform at the state level.

Only Nebraska outranked Virginia in the liability survey. The rest of the top 10, in order, are: North Dakota, Kansas, Utah, North Carolina, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Colorado.

Factors cited in Virginia’s number 2 spot include:

-A liability climate that is conducive to growth and job creation;

-The second lowest insurance loss ratios in the nation;

-Abolishment of joint liability and enactment of reasonable limits on punitive damages;

-A rule-of-law majority on the Virginia Supreme Court; and

-Recent Attorneys General who have been active legal reform leaders.

The announcement was hailed by Attorney General Bob McDonnell because: “Expensive and excessive litigation leads to higher costs for consumers, less jobs for our citizens, and slowdowns in economic growth. It discourages investment and has a negative effect on the expansion of the free market. Money that Virginia companies spend fighting lawsuits is money not spent expanding facilities, conducting research, and hiring Virginia workers. This ranking is a bipartisan achievement. Virginia’s pro- business climate and policies will continue to attract new companies to the Commonwealth in the years ahead, to the benefit of all who call Virginia home.”

To read the full article on the survey and Virginia’s ranking click here.

Virginia covers a variety of what people are looking for. Charlottesville with tech. Northern Virginia with government consultants ready and a large population of employees available. Richmond, Roanoke, and Norfolk with the population to fill those jobs.

Businesses want an area with low unemployment, quality of life, and growth opportunities. Families in Virginia enjoy beaches, mountains, the Chesapeake Bay, museums, and lots of culture. We've got it all!

Virginia Beach

Charter Fishing on the Chesapeake Bay

Skiing at Wintergreen Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce: http://www.vachamber.com/

Virginia Chamber of Commerce: http://www.vachamber.com/

What else do you love about Virginia? Please post a comment.

Karen
www.move2va.com

Cville Named #6 In "Best Green Places" 2007

Another kudo for Charlottesville! Wow! #6 for "Best Green Places"!

We are always ahead of other towns of the same size. Helping the environment is critical to us, and I am pleased that some builders in town are on the edge of building with green environmentally-friendly products. Read more in this article from the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce newsletter:

Charlottesville Among Best Green Cities

Country Home magazine, in conjunction with Sperling's
BestPlaces, reveals that Burlington, Vermont is the 2007 Best Green Place to
live in America, and named Charlottesville sixth in the nation. "We are seeing a
real interest, by both our readers and the marketplace, in exploring a green
lifestyle," said Editor-in-Chief Carol Sheehan. "We wanted to find out who in
America is actually taking action, where they are, and what they are doing." The
Best Green Places study, which is based on data discovered by Sperling's
BestPlaces, examines 24 data metrics in 5 major categories -- including air and
watershed quality, mass transit usage, power usage, farmers markets, organic
producers, and number of green-certified buildings -- to determine which metro
areas are the best places to live a green life. Sperling's BestPlaces ranked the
379 major metropolitan areas, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Over 80
percent of all U.S. residents live in these 379 metro areas. Data was collected
from sources which include the Census Bureau, the U.S. Green Building Council,
Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, the GreenPeople.org online directory.

"The Charlottesville community puts a value on trees, parks, greenspace,
streams and biodiversity. In an effort to balance the natural and built
environment and practice sustainability, Charlottesville encourages the use of
green roofs, rainwater harvesting, porous paving and rain gardens. These
concepts are being demonstrated by the city to encourage adoption in parks and
public spaces," the magazine wrote.

Here's the article at CountryHome.com:

http://www.countryhome.com/greencities/

Here's the link to the top 100 list of Best Green Cities at CountryHome.com:

http://www.countryhome.com/greencities/greencities1_100.html

It's great sharing happy news on this sad day of remembrance.

Karen

www.move2va.com

Remembering...

I thought this was a beautiful snow sculpture photo, sent to me by a friend...

C'ville Region's Income Growth Best In State!

The Charlottesville region's per capita income growth is the best in the state. Read more in this article from "The Daily Progress" newspaper:

http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP%2FMGArticle%2FCDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137835596633&path=!news

Kudos to Cville! We've got it all! We have the best of everything, so why not flaunt it?

Please post a comment,
Karen
www.move2va.com

Quote of the Week: "It Couldn't Be Done"

This is actually a poem, but I love the message...

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't", but he would be the one
Who wouldn't say so 'til he'd tried.

So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it!

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that,
At least no one ever has done it."
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew, he'd begun it.

With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it!

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.

But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it.
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "cannot be done", and you'll do it!

- Edgar A. Guest


You can do anything you try for, so never give up. Positive thinking should be your way of life, and you'd be surprised at the results and how good it makes you feel. Hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

Karen
www.move2va.com

August Sales Slowest in 10 Years

This article was sent out by Dave Phillips, the CEO of the Charlottesville Association of Realtors in the newsletter this week:

This probably will not shock most of you, but sales in August took a significant
dip. The 304 sales reported to the MLS in August were the fewest since 1998.
Until August, the local market was soft, but doing well by historic measures. We
had been tracking along with the 2004 numbers which were the third highest in
local history. For the year, we are 620 sales behind last year (down 19.2%). As
bad as that sounds, we are still on course to have the 4th highest sales year
ever.

The main concern in the market seems to be the negative press
about the mortgage crisis. While our area is not part of the crisis, we are
feeling the effects of this national problem.

Speaking of NBC 29, check out their new HomePlace section of the web site. CAAR Real Estate Weekly has recently entered into a partnership with NBC 29 to link our two powerful websites together and share content.

The Charlottesville/Central Virginia housing market is different than the national market. We have buyers who are wise, and are looking to find a well-priced home. We are seeing competitively priced properties. In fact, I've got a Forest Lake family home priced at assessed value, $359,700. I have not seen prices this low in 27 years of doing business.

Earlier this week I compared July 2007 & August 2007 housing stats for real estate transactions by county in our area.

Louisa County had a huge 138% increase in the number of houses sold, and 44% increase in average days on market from July to August.

Other significant changes from July 2007 to August 2007...

Greene County had a 33% increase in average days on market, and a 41% increase in the median selling price.

Orange County had a 33% decrease in number of houses sold, and a 45% decrease in average days on market.

Fluvanna County had a 31% decrease in average days on market.

Nelson County had a 33% increase in number of houses sold.

The city of Charlottesville had a 35% increase in number of houses sold, and a 37% increase in average days on the market.

Click this link to view the July 2007 housing stats, so you can compare:

http://move2va.blogspot.com/2007/08/housing-stats-for-july-2007-major.html

Here are the August 2007 housing stats. They show current values in central Virginia:

====================================================

Greene County, Virginia Housing Statistics, August 2007:
Number of Houses Sold: 19
Average Selling Price: $310,121
Average Days on the Market: 96
Number of Houses on the Market: 207
Median Selling Price: $349,000

====================================================

Orange County, Virginia Housing Statistics, August 2007:
Number of Houses Sold: 6
Average Selling Price: $216,483
Average Days on the Market: 73
Number of Houses on the Market: 179
Median Selling Price: $234,000

====================================================

Louisa County, Virginia Housing Statistics, August 2007:
Number of Houses Sold: 19
Average Selling Price: $224,304
Average Days on the Market: 183
Number of Houses on the Market: 273
Median Selling Price: $225,657

====================================================

Fluvanna County, Virginia Housing Statistics, August 2007:
Number of Houses Sold: 49
Average Selling Price: $272,859
Average Days on the Market: 74
Number of Houses on the Market: 351
Median Selling Price: $255,000

====================================================

Nelson County, Virginia Housing Statistics, August 2007:
Number of Houses Sold: 20
Average Selling Price: $390,710
Average Days on the Market: 85
Number of Houses on the Market: 313
Median Selling Price: $362,000

====================================================

Albemarle County, Virginia Housing Statistics, August 2007:
Number of Houses Sold: 147
Average Selling Price: $439,299
Average Days on the Market: 82
Number of Houses on the Market: 1,003
Median Selling Price: $296,400

====================================================

City of Charlottesville County, Virginia Housing Statistics, August 2007:
Number of Houses Sold: 93
Average Selling Price: $269,751
Average Days on the Market: 67
Number of Houses on the Market: 396
Median Selling Price: $245,000

====================================================

For more information on trends in our area, email me at kehoe@move2va.com or call me 24/7 at 1-800-818-7629.

Karen
www.move2va.com

Featured Home - Country Home In Fluvanna

• Home with 2+ acres for $359,900
  
  
• Home with 14+ acres for $799,900 (includes 5 extra lots)
  
  
• Or land only 5 mostly wooded lot subdivision already divided, 2-4.4 acres each, fabulous, rare opportunity for builder/developer or family for neighborhood for $499,900; buy at today's price and close December 2008 (land only).
  

FEATURES:

• Fluvanna County, near I-64, easy commute to Charlottesville/Richmond
  
  
• Large country house
  
  
• Bring your farm animals
  
  
• Over 2100 square feet
  
  
• Old-fashioned wrap-around covered porch
  
  
• Extensive ceramic tile floors in great room and first floor
  
  
• Kitchen with breakfast nook and appliances
  
  
• Bedrooms, including first floor master suite
  
  
• 2 car garage
  

For more information on this home or any other home in central Virginia and Charlottesville, please call me (434-980-2860) or email me (kehoe@move2va.com).

Mortgage rates up slightly this week to 6.5%

30-Year fixed mortgage rates are now 6.5% for 30-year fixed. They increased slightly, due to the volatility of the credit markets. Read more at BankRate.com:

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/bank/Sept0607_interest_rate_roundupa1.asp?s=2#tab

Stay in close contact with your lender.

Karen
www.move2va.com

Charlottesville's Free Speech Monument

Web site: www.tjcenter.org/monument

Cville has it all! A huge chalkboard monument on the downtown mall allows you to express yourself for everybody in town, both old and young.

This is a great video, a time lapse film of The First Amendment Monument, the free speech chalkboard at the Charlottesville Downtown Mall. Film by Sasha Solodukhina, music by Dave Matthews:



Also we have the Beta Bridge at UVA. One of my fondest memories was when UVA students expressed themselves on the bridge, stating "Hoos For Hokies" to let Virginia Tech know that we are supporting them. Then later on Virginia Tech students painted a reply on the Beta Bridge stating "Thanks Hoos!"





Communication and expression are so important in our lives. If you don't have time to go to the chalkboard, express yourself here. Anonymous or quoted either one is fine. Please feel free to post on my blog about whatever.

Karen
www.move2va.com

Events in Charlottesville & Central Virginia This Weekend (Sept. 7-9)

Friday, Sept. 7
ABOUT RICHARD NIXON, MILLER CENTER
Tricky Dick: Political journalist Elizabeth Drew, who recently published her thirteenth book, a biography of Richard M. Nixon for the American Presidents Series, speaks on "Richard M. Nixon and the Presidency." Free. 11am. Miller Center, 2201 Old Ivy Road, Charlottesville, www.millercenter.org/gage. 434/294-7236.

Friday, Sept. 7
WWI & AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP, MILLER CENTER
Chris Capozzola, MIT associate professor of history, discusses "German Enemy Aliens in the First World War and the Making of Modern American Citizenship." Free. 12:30pm. Miller Center, 2201 Old Ivy Road, Charlottesville, www.millercenter.org/gage. 434/294-7236.

Friday, Sept. 7
FRIDAYS AFTER FIVE
This is the last Fridays After Five of the 2007 season. The band is SGGL (http://www.sggl.net/). At the Charlottesville Pavilion on the Downtown Mall. Show starts at 5:30pm. $free. All ages welcome. Email: mailto:info@charlottesvillepavilion.com?subject=Fridays. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/245-4910.

Friday, Sept. 7
ART FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, TIM MICHEL, RECEPTION
Tim Michel opens his show of print etchings of Virginia landscapes at the C&O Gallery with a reception, 5-7pm. A portion of all sales goes to the Piedmont Environmental Council. 515 E. Water St. in Charlottesville (next to the C&O restaurant). 434/971-7044.

Friday, Sept. 7
LIGHT HOUSE FILM FESTIVAL
Light House, Charlottesville's award-winning youth media center, hosts two screenings of its 6th annual Youth Film Festival, "Real Voices: Reel Stories." Question and answer with the young filmmakers follows. Light House premieres the best short films created by local teens in the past year including animation, documentary, music video, and narrative films. Highlights include Sew What? by 16-year-old Westhaven resident Quintin Franklyn, a fledgling fashion designer whose film won the "Best Documentary" award in a national youth film competition sponsored by Listen Up! in New York City; and Laying Out the Cards, a portrait of the dignity and wisdom of a homeless man who gives Tarot card readings on the Downtown Mall. $10/6pm show; $25/8pm show and after party featuring music, drinks, and food. 434/293-6992 or http://www.lighthousestudio.org/.

Friday, Sept. 7
PUBLIC NIGHT AT MCCORMICK OBSERVATORY
The view is out of this world at Public Night at McCormick Observatory, 9-11pm (weather permitting). UVA's research telescopes on O-Hill will be pointed heavenward, and Astronomy Department staff and students will be on hand with a slide show and answers to starry questions. Free. McCormick Road, Charlottesville. 434/924-7494.

Friday, Sept. 7
WESTMINSTER ORGAN CONCERT, PETER KRANEFOED
The Westminster Organ Concert Series opens its 2007-2008 season with a public concert today featuring German organist Peter Kranefoed and the music of Bach, Buxtehude, and Böhm. Free, 8pm. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 190 Rugby Road, Charlottesville. 434/963-4690 or www.avenue.org/organconcerts.

Friday, Sept. 7
WINE & BEER TASTING AT MAYMONT - RICHMOND
Hosted by The Dooley Noted Society, Maymont’s young professionals group that takes place on the South Terrace of the Robins Nature & Visitor Center at Maymont Park. Enjoy live music as you sample local wine and beer. Wine & Beer Tasting at Maymont

Saturday, Sept. 8
PRE-GAME TALK AT UVA
"More Than the Score" kicks off its second season of educational game-day talks for alumni, parents, and friends. Today's subject: Calorie Myths, featuring Glenn Gaesser, Professor and Director of the Kinesiology Program at the Curry School of Education. Can "bad carbs" be good? Can exercise make you fatter? Can being "overweight" be a sign of good health? Free. 10-11am. Alumni Hall, 211 Emmet St., Charlottesville. www.uvaminds.com/more-than-the-score.

Saturday, Sept. 8
UVA FOOTBALL HOME COMING GAME
"Paint the Town Orange" UVA hosts Duke in Charlottesville, 12:00pm.

Saturday, Sept. 8
HERITAGE HARVEST FESTIVAL
Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants. The Heritage Harvest Festival is a family-oriented, educational event designed to promote healthy gardening practices and preserve heirloom plants from the Mid-Atlantic region. The festival will highlight the efforts of non-profit organizations supporting sustainable agriculture as well as of for-profit groups promoting organics and “slow food” principles; and will provide an array of food vendors and free samples. The day will also include informative workshops on fruit and vegetable preservation, seed saving, and the ever-popular tomato and apple tastings. Additional, fun-filled activities range from an invigorating walk to the Rivanna River to special tours of the Monticello Kitchen Garden and of Montalto, the neighboring “high mountain.” Monticello's Tufton Farm. 10am to 4pm. $free. All ages welcome. Email: mailto:festival@southernexposure.com?subject=Heritage. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 540-894-9480.

Saturday, Sept. 8
ORANGE STREET FESTIVAL
As summer draws to its end, what better way is there to celebrate the coming of fall, than to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon at our annual "Street Festival". Held in the center of downtown Orange, there is lots of food, crafts, local businesses displaying their wares, and a great atmosphere for all. Downtown Orange. 9am to 5pm. All ages welcome. Email: mailto:occc@ns.gemlink.com?subject=Orange. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 540-672-5216.

Saturday, Sept. 8
RIVANNA TRAILS FOUNDATION SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
Volunteer to come out to help with trail maintenance. Great for older kids or the whole family. Tools provided, but bring shears or clippers if you have them. Large groups please call in advance. . Directions: Meet at the trailhead on Melbourne Road just east of the Charlottesville High School football field and caravan to the work site. 9am to 12pm. $free. All ages welcome. Contact: Dan Mahon. Email: mailto:dmahon@albemarle.org?subject=Rivanna. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/296-5844.

Saturday, Sept. 8
RIVERFLICK OUTDOOR FILMS - LYNCHBURG
The RiverFlick Film Series returns to the riverfront for the summer of 2007 bringing more great movies to Central Virginia. Each RiverFlick night, hundreds of people from throughout the region make their way to Lynchburg's riverfront to enjoy a movie experience like never before! RiverFlick is a free community event which shows family-friendly movies in an outdoor theater. Movie classics are selected from a variety of genres to appeal to a wide audience. intersection of 9th and Jefferson Streets. Directions: Lynchburg, VA 24504. 7 to 11:30pm. $free. All ages welcome. Email: mailto:riverflick@aol.com?subject=RiverFlick. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434-845-8850.

Saturday, Sept. 8
STARRY NIGHTS AT VERITAS VINEYARDS & WINERY - AFTON
Come to the winery for wine, music and food under the stars. Bring a picnic, or sample the delights of our chef Said Rhafiri for $15. Veritas Vineyards & Winery in Afton. 7 to 11pm. $10. Email: mailto:contact@veritaswine.com?subject=Starry. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 540-456-8000.

Saturday, Sept. 8
IS ANYBODY OUT THERE - RICHMOND
Science Museum of Virginia. Is there life on other planets? If so, what would it be like? Search for answers to these and other questions about extraterrestrial life with the voice of Star Trek’s Leonard Nimoy as a guide. (planetarium show) Directions: 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA. Take I-64 east to Richmond take the Boulevard exit (# 78), bear right onto Boulevard. Take Boulevard to West Broad Street (US 250) (4th traffic light). Turn left onto West Broad Street and go two blocks. Museum is on your left. Monday-Saturday 9:30am to 5pm, Sunday 11:30am to 5pm. $free. All ages welcome. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 804-864-1400.

Saturday, Sept. 8
WAYNESBORO CHILI, BLUES 'N BREWS COOKOFF
Features a Corvette and Mustang car show, all the chili you can swallow, blues by Eli Cook, Barb Martin, Mac Walter and others. $4 advance, $5/door. 11am-5:30pm. http://www.waynesborochili.com/ or 540-942-6705.

Saturday, Sept. 8
CELEBRATE GRANDPARENT'S DAY AT THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM
To honor all those long-suffering, doting oldsters, the Virginia Discovery Museum hosts Grandparents' Day. Kids and their meema and papa can make a t-shirt together with a self-portrait on the front and crayon decorations on the back. 10:30am. $10 members/ $15 nonmembers. Registration required. East end of the Downtown Mall. 434/977-1025. (Grandparents Day is actually Sunday, FYI.)

Saturday, Sept. 8
CELEBRATE GRANDPARENTS DAY AT POPLAR FOREST
Special tours that focus on Jefferson and his grandchildren. Grandparents accompanied by a grandchild receive $2 off admission. Grandparents Day at Poplar Forest

Saturday, Sept. 8
VIOLIN MUSIC
Baroque violinist David Sariti and organist Bradley Lehman present violin music from the beginning to Bach: a century of Italian, French, and German Music. 7pm, $15/general; $10/students, seniors. Christ Episcopal Church, 100 Jefferson St. W., Charlottesville. 434/293-2947.

Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 8-9
ALEXANDRIA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Features more than 200 artists from around the country as they display and sell a variety of fine art ranging from paintings, sculpture, prints and photography to pottery, glass, jewelry and ceramics. Alexandria Festival of the Arts

Sunday, Sept. 9
ASH LAWN-HIGHLAND’S TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY: FAMILIES AT THE PLANTATION
Celebrate our teachers at the home of President James Monroe. Experience craft demonstrations, hands-on workshops, music, colonial games, more. Admission charge. Free to teachers. Ash Lawn-Highland (Home of President James Monroe). Directions: 1000 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, 2.5 miles past Monticello. 1 to 5pm, rain or shine. All ages welcome. Email: mailto:info@ashlawnhighland.org?subject=Ash. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/293-9539.

Sunday, Sept. 9
WILDLIFE CENTER OF VIRGINIA OPEN HOUSE
The Wildlife Center of Virginia, the nation's leading teaching and research hospital for native wildlife, hosts one of five open houses for autumn 2007. These are rare opportunities to see the inner workings of a wildlife hospital, as well as meet some of the wildlife that serve as the Center's education staff and ambassadors. Reservations required. Free. Three sessions: 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm. I-64 West to Exit 96 (Waynesboro, Lyndhurst). Left at the end of the off ramp onto South Delphine Ave/Route 624. 1/2 mile, WCV is on the left, look for sign at the driveway. 540-942-9453.

Sunday, Sept. 9
CADILLAC COMMONWEALTH CUP POLO MATCH - OILVILLE
A spirited match between American and British teams. The event also showcases dog agility trials, a wine tasting and vendor tent and contests, as well as a carriage parade and traditional divot stomping at halftime. South Ceres Farm. Cadillac Commonwealth Cup Polo Match

Have a fun weekend!

Karen
www.move2va.com

New Developments & Shopping: Treesdale Park, The Commons at Albrecht Place & Mermac Crossing

Brian Wheeler, the author of the CharlottesvilleTomorrow blog, certainly is very thorough with his research and news of new developments and planning commission developments.

Everything from affordable housing in Treesdale Park, The Commons at Albrecht Place behind Shoppers World Plaza, and Mermac Crossing between Forest Lakes and North Pointe with 26 units.

I personally like development, but controlled development. These owners/developers have jumped through the hoops of the county, and are cooperating, What we have is special, so growing properly is important.

Read more at CharlottesvilleTomorrow:

http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2007/09/20070828pc.html

Does this info regarding new neighborhoods help you? Please post a comment and let me know. Thanks!

Karen
www.move2va.com

Latest Trends At Builders' Show

Everything you might need for your home, from the latest in toilet seats, to keyless entry, to more closet space. Peruse this article from RealtyTimes.com to learn about the latest trends for your home:

http://realtytimes.com/rtcpages/20070808_newtrends.htm

What's on your wish list? Please post a comment and share...

Karen
www.move2va.com

Quote of the Week: From Meryl Streep

Attempt for excellence is what sustains the most well-lived and satisfying, successful lives.

--Meryl Streep

Even movie stars have quotes, and Meryl Streep is one of my favorites. I totally agree, always striving for the best should be part of our lives.

Karen
www.move2va.com

Class Action Suit Over CSST Tubing: Deadline To File 9/5/07

Corrugated stainless steel tubing has been used in many homes throughout our area. You may have this in your home.

The deadline to submit a claim is September 5, 2007, and you can do this on their website:

https://www.pddocs.com/csst

It's interesting the materials that are used in homes sometimes can create problems, and research should be done by homeowners. Remember the PVC quest class action suit? It depended on the clamps that were on your home and when your home was built.

Who knows what will be next? This information was sent to me by John Handloser, a home inspector with Pillar To Post. He will assist you with your new home purchase, or if you have questions on your current home. If you'd like his phone number or email, just let me know.

Comments anybody?

Karen
www.move2va.com

Mortgage rates fell again this week to 6.43%

Rates on mortgages fell this week. Investors are betting the Federal Reserve will cut rates soon. Read more in this article from BankRate.com:

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/bank/Aug3007_interest_rate_roundupa1.asp?s=2#tab

As always, please stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. If you need a lender, I'll be happy to provide you with a list of the local lenders I recommend.

Karen
www.move2va.com