From the category archives:

Market Activity

Central VA is Comparatively Prosperous

January 31, 2012

The website at Salon published some of their research regarding the economic recovery of particular sections of the U.S.   They have designated some areas which remain in persistent decline as ‘permanent dead zones’.     At THIS LINK you can find a map of their zones and details about why they believe certain areas will continue to [...]

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Gap Between New Homes and Resales

January 29, 2012

The chart below has been compiled by an Economics Blog named Calculated Risk ….  to illustrate the home sales in the country for the past 8 years… with lines showing sales of new construction vs. resales of existing homes.  It’s dramatic and it speaks for itself.  Of course like many others, we believe one of the fastest [...]

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Charlottesville Real Estate 4th Quarter 2011 Market Report

January 16, 2012

Just released is the Charlottesville Real Estate 4th Quarter 2011 Market Report.

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Are We Turning the Corner?

January 16, 2012

USA Today ran a very positive article this morning saying that many economists think the real estate market is about to make a positive turn, particularly new construction. Here is the article.

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They Like Us

January 14, 2012

There are days when it feels like the whole world is looking for a getaway retreat in Virginia.  They call us from all over the country (and outside the country too)…. looking for those perfect few acres where their families can find a piece of heaven.   We try to keep things in perspective because after [...]

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Skiing Anyone?

January 7, 2012

Christmas marked the beginning of the ski season at Wintergreen Resort in Nelson County VA.    Wintergreen utilizes snow-making machines to cover the mountain slopes evenly and they are now in full operation.  Wintergreen becomes a bustling village of its own at this time of year, going from 350 employees to over 1,000 employees to handle [...]

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Higher Limits for FHA Loans

November 19, 2011

Although the loan limits may vary from market to market, this week the U.S. Congress voted to restore the FHA portion of conforming loan limits in the highest-priced real estate markets back up to $729,750 through 2013.   The limits had been raised during the 2008 financial crisis from $625,500,  but that extension had expired in October.  The loan limits [...]

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New Cider Pub for Nelson County

November 18, 2011

Soon central Virginia will have a new cider pub.   John Washburn, owner of  The Bold Rock Cidery in Nelson County, hopes to be open for business by the holidays.   We’re ready,  so just let us know?

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Ginnie Mae Home Mortgage Financing

November 17, 2011

As the recent housing market has suffered through tightened credit standards, many buyers have found themselves unable to qualify for the typical home loans backed by Fannie and Freddie.   In many cases their credit is good but there is some other attribute (their age/experience, the property itself etc) that makes it unfeasible to secure a [...]

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Fannie Doesn’t Want Real Estate Flipping

November 11, 2011

Bank-owned real estate is now affected by a Fannie Mae provision that prohibits the resale of a property for at least 3 months from the “date of the deed”.  The purpose is to discourage new owners from flipping bank-owned properties right away.    And during the 3-month waiting period, a promised sale price can’t exceed 120% of the Fannie [...]

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