Housing Statistics for June 2007: Madison, Greene, Orange, Louisa, Fluvanna, Nelson, Albemarle and Charlottesville

These stats will help you see current values in central Virginia. Note the Median Selling price is skewed by high and low costs as well.

Albemarle County has a high number of homes for sale, and it is a buyers market as well as in surrounding counties.

Be smart, be prepared, and have knowledge... and you can get a great house! Call or email me 24 hours/ 7 days.

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Madison County, Virginia Housing Statistics, June 2007:

Number of Houses Sold This Month: 7
Average Selling Price This Month: $283,714
Average Days on the Market This Month: 23
Number of Houses on the Market this Month (As of 7/11/2007 1:57:53 PM): 81
Median Selling Price This Month: $235,000

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Greene County, Virginia Housing Statistics, June 2007:

Number of Houses Sold This Month: 25
Average Selling Price This Month: $296,437
Average Days on the Market This Month: 105
Number of Houses on the Market this Month (As of 7/11/2007 2:05:00 PM): 205
Median Selling Price This Month: $250,000

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Orange County, Virginia Housing Statistics, June 2007:

Number of Houses Sold This Month: 16
Average Selling Price This Month: $315,588
Average Days on the Market This Month: 143
Number of Houses on the Market this Month (As of 7/11/2007 2:05:44 PM): 174
Median Selling Price This Month: $285,000

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Louisa County, Virginia Housing Statistics, June 2007:

Number of Houses Sold This Month: 16
Average Selling Price This Month: $256,988
Average Days on the Market This Month: 67
Number of Houses on the Market this Month (As of 7/11/2007 1:56:00 PM): 266
Median Selling Price This Month: $215,200

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Fluvanna County, Virginia Housing Statistics, June 2007:

Number of Houses Sold This Month: 45
Average Selling Price This Month: $271,473
Average Days on the Market This Month: 75
Number of Houses on the Market this Month (As of 7/11/2007 2:03:09 PM): 356
Median Selling Price This Month: $234,900

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Nelson County, Virginia Housing Statistics, June 2007:
Number of Houses Sold This Month: 13
Average Selling Price This Month: $503,015
Average Days on the Market This Month: 79
Number of Houses on the Market this Month (As of 7/11/2007 2:06:28 PM): 310
Median Selling Price This Month: $560,000

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Albemarle County, Virginia Housing Statistics, June 2007:

Number of Houses Sold This Month: 209
Average Selling Price This Month: $385,240
Average Days on the Market This Month: 70
Number of Houses on the Market this Month (As of 7/11/2007 2:03:48 PM): 1032
Median Selling Price This Month: $307,000

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City of Charlottesville, Virginia Housing Statistics, June 2007:

Number of Houses Sold This Month: 79
Average Selling Price This Month: $340,229
Average Days on the Market This Month: 74
Number of Houses on the Market this Month (As of 7/11/2007 2:00:41 PM): 389
Median Selling Price This Month: $320,000

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It certainly is a buyers market. Comments or questions from anybody on this important info?

Help, tips & free advice on moving

Moving? RE/MAX Excellence as well as Lowe's can help you.

Lowes has a web site to assist you in moving:

http://www.lowesmoving.com/

We can also assist you in finding another home or rental anywhere in the world. Call me 24 hours/7 days, (434) 980-2860 or toll-free 1-800-818-7629.

Buying or Selling... I can get you a Lowes discount as a realtor, for setting up or taking down a house.

One-stop-shopping is what I'm offering you, assistance and guidance with mortgages, advice on HELOC or home equity line loans, attorney references, and information on how to make it happen. Please call me for free, no obligation, advice.

Comments? Questions? Please post. Thanks!

House Report Uncovers Homeland Security Staff and Continuity of Government Risks

Wow, this came as an emergency email, and it appears it is crisis time in the security of our nation:

http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=208&z=1

We need good leaders for sure.

Comments anyone?

It's a buyers market, so now is the time to buy a home.

It takes only 30 days to close the loan, so it's not too late even for families to buy a home. Interest rates remained stable, and click this link to read an article from bankrate.com on "Interest Rate Roundup":

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/bank/July0507_interest_rate_roundupa1.asp?prodtype=invest

There are so many ways to buy a home including 100% loans, and the sellers can pay all your closing cost, depending on how motivated they are.

For all the listings in Charlottesville & Albemarle County, as well as all of central Virginia, please check out my website at www.Move2Va.com.

Comments anyone?

Great Quote... What Direction Are You Moving In?

I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.

- Oliver Wendel Holmes

Mortgage rates have stalled this week

Mortgage rates have stalled as anxiety about inflation has eased. The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remained at 6.74 percent, according to the Bankrate.com national survey of large lenders. Read more from BankRate.com:

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/mtga/july0507_mortgage_analysisa1.asp

Keep in touch with your mortgage lender. If you need a lender, contact me and I'll be happy to share those I recommend in the central Virginia area.

Any thoughts on the rates stalling? Please post a comment. I'd love to hear what you think.

This week's Featured Home - Downtown Charlottesville, Almost New

Almost New Home

in Downtown Charlottesville

$284,900

(Reduced $14,000!)

- Gorgeous gourmet kitchen
- 2 Porches on front
- Deck to rear
- 3 Bedrooms
- 2.5 baths
- Bamboo floors on first floor
- Convenient to UVA, the Downtown Mall, I-64

Please email (kehoe@move2va.com) or call me (434) 980-2860 to learn more about this fabulous home or any other homes in the central Virginia area.

Central Virginia events this weekend (July 6-8)

Friday, July 6
STAR STRUCK
The view is out of this world at Public Night at McCormick Observatory from 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. 434/924-7494.

Friday, July 6
MUSIC AT TWILIGHT: MOZART & MORE
Ash Lawn Opera Festival.Spend a romantic, enchanted evening with our Opera Company as they sing some of the world's best-loved music. Festival singers choose their favorite arias, duets, and ensembles from celebrated composers such as, Rossini, Verdi, Puccini, and, of course, Mozart! Perfect for the opera aficionado or as an introduction to this beautiful art. Ash Lawn-Highland. Doors open at 6pm. Shows begin at 8pm. $11-$18. All ages welcome. Email: mailto:info@ashlawnopera.org?subject=Music. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/979-0122.

Friday, July 6
ROMEO AND JULIET, CSI
Theaterworks Repertory Company presents Shakespeare's beloved text of passionate discovery and young love as a CSI. Here romance is not the primary focus. This reorientation of the text follows the format of a crime scene investigation. The idea is not to rewrite or abandon Shakespeare, but to find in his words a microcosm of modern life. Pay what you can ($7 suggested donation), 7:30pm. The Hamner Theater, Rockfish Valley Community Center, Rockfish School Lane, Nellysford. 434/361-9092 or http://www.thehamnertheater.com/.

Saturday, July 7
CELEBRATE ORANGE: PICNIC IN THE PARK
Orange Downtown Alliance.Come out to Booster Park for a picnic and fun family entertainment. Booster Park. Directions: near Orange Airport off route 20. 4:30 to 10:30pm. All ages welcome. Email: mailto:info@orangecova.com?subject=Celebrate. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 540-672-2540.

Saturday, July 7
FIRST SATURDAY BIRD WALK
Ivy Creek Foundation.Jennifer Gaden of the Monticello Bird Club leads this early summer bird walk. Meet in the parking lot. Ivy Creek Natural Area. Directions: Earlysville Road/Route 743 Meet in the parking lot. 7:30am. $free. All ages welcome. Email: mailto:icf@ivycreekfoundation.org?subject=First. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/973-7772.

Saturday, July 7
INTERNATIONAL FOLKDANCERS
Ezher Uremez teaches and leads line, mixers, and circle dances from around the world. Beginners welcome and partners not necessary. Free, 2-4:30pm every Saturday in July. Central Library, 201 E. Market St. 434/823-9705.

Saturday, July 7
EXPEDITION: THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPLORATORY CENTER
Open at the Keelboat barn in Darden Towe Park teaching the skills of exploration: knot-making, compass reading, and nature observation, as well as carpentry and boat building skills such as chiseling and drilling. The 55-foot replica of the Lewis and Clark Expedition keelboat is on display with some recent additions. 10am-2pm. Free. On the north end of Darden Towe Park past the parking lots. 434/979-2425. lewisandclarkeast.org.

Saturday, July 7
CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN
The hills are alive with the Sound of Music at Ash Lawn Opera Festival. Maria and the von Trapp family tell the familiar story again at historic Ash Lawn-Highland. Doors at 6pm, shows begin at 8pm. $16-$26. 434/979-0122.

Saturday, July 7
SCIENCE SATURDAY (Richmond)
Today is Electrifying Day at the Science Museum of Virginia. Visitors can make their hair stand on end at the static demonstration at noon and 2pm, see lightning-like electricity fly through the air at the Tesla coil at 1 and 3pm, visit the 1893 Chicago World's Fair in the Carpenter Science Theatre Company play, At the End of the Wire, also at 1 and 3pm, and explore the visiting exhibition Savage Ancient Sea. Included in the price of admission. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727.

Saturday, July 7
ROMEO AND JULIET
With its rapturous language and uproarious comedy, Romeo and Juliet celebrates love's triumphs and its trivialities. In this profoundly human and always surprising masterpiece, Shakespeare puts into theatrical balance the joys of the body and the pleasures of the play's glorious language. 2pm. Blackfriars Playhouse. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. 1-877-682-4236.

Saturday, July 7
LOVE'S LABORS LOST
Written around the same time as Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream, this giddy, extravagant comedy is Shakespeare's most exuberant wordfest-- a heart-stopping explosion of our English language. Here the Bard presents four young lords ripe for an education in love by four young ladies and, for even more fun, throws in the fantastic love-warrior, Don Armado; the lust-sick clown, Costard; and the pompous scholar, Holofernes. 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. 877-682-4236.

Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8
SOUTH AFRICAN FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
Grayhaven Winery.Join Grayhaven as they host the 2nd Annual South African Food & Wine Festival. Taste the delectable grilled meats and exotic dishes South Africa is known for. Dutch, Indian and Malaysian influences come together with native dishes to create a melting pot of culture and cuisine that is uniquely South African. Live the adventure as South African chefs whip up a weekend of fantastic food complimented by some of South Africa's best wines. Grayhaven Winery. Directions: 4675 East Grey Fox Circle, Gum Spring, VA. $10 adults, 10 and under free. Email: mailto:max@grayhavenwinery.com?subject=South. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 804-556-3917.

Saturday & Sunday, July 7-8
WINTERGREEN PERFORMING ARTS SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATION '07
Evans Center at Wintergreen Resort. Description: Wintergreen Performing Arts presents its 11th Summer Music Festival. Celebration '07 will honor the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown and the 200th Anniversary of Nelson County with a full roster of chamber and orchestra concerts, lectures, master classes, and open rehearsals. The concert program will include familiar masterpieces such as Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World"), two chamber music world premieres and what appears to be the American Premiere of Ottorino Respighi's transcription of Claudio Monteverdi's magnificent 1607 opera Orfeo. The festival will conclude with conductor Peter Oundjian and violinist Robert McDuffie performing Bruch's magnificent G minor Violin Concerto, a gem of the German Romantic period. The festival will also include the world premiere of Peter Coy's play A Shadow of Honor about a 1907 murder in Nelson County. Consult the Wintergreen Performing Arts website for a detailed schedule and the Wintergreen Resort website (http://www.wintergreenresort.com/) for travel packages. for information: (434) 325-8292; (866) 984-6874; Web Site: http://www.wintergreenperformingarts.org/

Sunday, July 8
SUMMER BIG WOODS WALK
Montpelier.Tour of the James Madison Landmark Forest. A 200-acre old-growth forest lies just beyond the back lawn of the Mansion. Designated by the U.S. Department of Interior as a National Natural Landmark, the "Big Woods" is recognized as the best example of an old-growth forest in the Piedmont. The tour will be led by Montpelier Horticulturist Sandy Mudrinich. Montpelier. Directions: 11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station VA 22957. 2pm. $price included with admission. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 540-672-2728.

Sunday, July 8
EXPLORING SUMMER: A SUNDAY MORNING STROLL
Ivy Creek Foundation.Naturalist Mary Jane Epps, will lead an exploratory walk at Ivy Creek to see the wonders of a summer morning in nature. Wildflowers, ferns, mushrooms and the amazing variety of insects are a few of the topics Mary Jane may cover. Meet at the Ed Bldg. Ivy Creek Natural Area. Directions: Earlysville Road/Route 743. 10am. $free. All ages welcome. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/973-7772.

Sunday, July 8
UP ON THE MOUNTAIN: MUSIC AND FUN AT HUMPBACK ROCKS MOUNTAIN FARM
Lexington's Breakin' Nu Ground string band, Bruce Clark and the Sawmill Band, and Harry Baldwin and his Percheron horses (they don't play music) entertain while visitors tour the authentic old homestead. Free, 2-4pm. Milepost 5.8, Blue Ridge Parkway.

4th of July celebrations in central Virginia & Charlottesville

Just in case you hadn't noticed, I have a list of 4th of July events below on my blog. Scroll down to read it.

Have a great holiday! Be safe!

Charlottesville & Albemarle County Utilities

While we were at it, we put together a list of utility companies that service Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Click the link below to see the list:

http://www.homecharlottesville.com/charlottesville-albemarle-utilities.htm

I will be looking for more resource information to post in the future. Please bookmark my blog or add it to your favorites so you can find these utilities easily.

Would you like other reference charts as well, and what would you like to see? Please leave a comment. Thanks!

Lake Monticello Utilities

We did some research recently on utility companies that service the Lake Monticello area. I thought I'd share it with everyone. Click the link below for a list of utility companies that service the Lake Monticello area:

This webpage is from our company web site, HomeCharlottesville.com:

http://www.homecharlottesville.com/lake-monticello-utilities.htm

Unique & Useful Tips

I haven't tried any of these tips yet, but they seem like they would work. Please leave a comment and let me know how they work for you...

Reheat Pizza

Heat up leftover pizza in a non-stick skillet on top of the stove, Set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy microwaved pizza.

Easy Deviled Eggs

Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

Expanding Frosting

When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar/calories per serving.

Reheating refrigerated bread

To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

Broken Glass

Use a dry cotton ball to pick up little broken glass pieces of Glass- the fibers catch ones you can't see!

Squirrel Away!

To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

Flexible vacuum

To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Reducing Static Cling

Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and - voila - static is gone.

Measuring Cups

Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill it with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry the cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Foggy Windshield?

Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

Reopening envelope

If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Voila! It unseals easily.

Conditioner

Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth.

Goodbye Fruit Flies

To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2" with apple cider vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid, mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

Get Rid of Ants

Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it "home," & can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so especially f it rains, and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

Take baby powder to the beach

Keep a small bottle of baby powder in your beach bag. When you're ready to leave the beach sprinkle yourself and kids with the powder and the sand will slide right off your skin.

Why you should get a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit

Click this link to use an advisor program from Bankrate.com to find out which is best for you, and to learn more:

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/calsystem2/calculators/loanvscredit/default.aspx

It's a buyers market, and we need to be creative in buying a home. Every homeowner should have a contingency plan for illness, car replacement/repair, or fun things. It's wise to have one in place prior to buying a home, in case you need to buy without contingency of sale of your home.

It depends on your mortgage lender, but you can get it and never use it, and it will cost you nothing. If and when you do use it, you'll pay at that time.

Your local bank would be a good source, or the lender you're using to purchase your home.

Be prepared for life and all the events that can happen... both positive and negative. Any comments or questions?

The Pros & Cons of Reverse Mortgages

Baby boomers are here, and now anyone over 62 years old can get a reverse mortgage. It's not for everyone, but it can be just what you need for you at this time in your life.

Changes are occurring soon, and instead of only being able to get reverse mortgages on your home you live in, soon you'll be able to buy a home using reverse mortgage. Even if you have bad credit, and live in a home, you can probably get reverse mortgages.

I found a great article on the "Pros & Cons of Reverse Mortgages" at Bankrate.com, click below to read more:

http://bankrate.com/brm/news/mortgages/20070104_reverse_mortgage_a1.asp?caret=41

Welcome to the wave of the future, and let me know if you have more questions about reverse mortgages. Please post your comments/questions so we can discuss.

Featured Home This Week

Forest Lakes

• Northern Albemarle County near Hollymead Town Center
• Easy access to Charlottesville Airport
• Only 20 minutes to UVA/Downtown Charlottesville
• Neighborhood has trails, swimming pool with slides, playground, lake, trails, tennis, clubhouse
• Elementary school only a few minutes away
• Walk to the middle school
• Freshly painted
• Walking trail behind home

Please call me (434) 980-2860 or email me (kehoe@move2va.com) if you have any questions about this home, or other homes in central Virginia.