September 2010 Market Minute-Botetourt County, Virginia, courtesy of Long & Foster Realtors, Roanoke North Office. 10/31/2010

Long & Foster Real Estate Botetourt County market report for Aug. 2010 09/30/2010

Things to do in and around Roanoke VA!  Natural Bridge Zoo!  On my endless quest to write about Roanoke Virginia, the real estate market, Restaurants, mom and pop shops, and things to do in and around Roanoke, I can't believe that I have somehow missed the Natural Bridge Zoo!  I have heard about the Natural Bridge Zoo for years but for some reason I have never visited and what a mistake it has been!  Hey, I am a big kid!  What can I say?  I love the Zoo!  I went to the National Zoo last year in Washington D.C. and I was a little disappointed in the lack of animals there.  How was I to know that right here, 25 minutes from Roanoke VA, I would find a gem of a Zoo?  Located just 3 miles from I-81 off of exit 175, the Natural Bridge Zoo is located on the left hand side of Route 11.  Admissi... 06/27/2010

Virginia Tax Holiday: May 25-31, 2010: Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness Equipment. During this seven-day period, purchases of items designated by the Department of Taxation as hurricane preparedness equipment, including portable generators, will be exempt from the Virginia sales tax. Portable generators must be priced at $1,000 or less, and other eligible items must be priced at $60 or less for each item.   HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS SALES TAX HOLIDAY The following hurricane preparedness items may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax during the "Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday," provided that such items have a selling price of $60 or less per item. • Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and reusable ice • Batteries (excluding automobile or boat batteries), includi... 05/16/2010

Botetourt County,VA.there are 100% financing options available for homebuyers! The USDA is providing financing for people interested in buying homes in most counties in our area. The guidelines are provided below. This is good for 1st time homebuyers as well as current homeowners looking to move to a different home. A great way to receive the $8,000 or $6,500 tax credit. We have created a toll free $8,000 Tax Credit/First Time Buyer Information line 888 279 0083 ext.8878, to help with any questions you might have.   02/02/2010

      Big impact, low cost remodeling projects can make a big difference when listing your home for sale. In a recent issue of the National Association of Realtors magazine "Realtor" several projects were discussed for Sellers who have some, but not unlimited cash for upgrades.        One place that has a big impact on homebuyers is the kitchen. Adding pull out shelving to exisitng cabinets is a great way to update without replacing.         Most home improvement stores carry inexpensive tile that can beused to update a backsplash or add a new one. For $1 to $2 a tile and the cost of labor this is a great way to add some new color to a kitchen.       The final tip is to have an electrician replace old track lighting with recessed canned lights on a dimmer switch to add ambiance. These t... 01/31/2010

      Looking for a home to buy? Theres more to it than meets the eye. Most first time homebuyers are amazed when they begin the process. Unfortunately many are never informed of all the steps involved until they have submitted a contract to purchase a home.       Did you know that in Virginia there is an Agency Disclosure form that details the duties and responsibilities of the Realtor to their client?       Did your Realtor take the time to determine your exact needs and wants or just ask you how much you wanted to spend?       Did your Realtor refer you to several mortgage lenders in order for you to be able to determine who can service your needs the best?       Have you ever had the contract acceptance process explained to you? The difference between pre-approval and the actual loa... 01/24/2010

      In the current market getting your home the maximum exposure to all potential buyers is crucial. The days of having a sign in the yard, a flyer box, more than likely empty, and one picture on the MLS is just not cutting it.       Buyers today are better educated, the internet can provide more information in a few minutes than many buyers ever recieved in the past. People today want to see multiple pictures, virtual tours, and even video tours of homes they are interested in. Has your agent done this for you?                                     How many websites is your home being marketed to? Is the presentation of that marketing done in a professional manner or is it being manually entered?       Is there a toll free hotline dedicated to providing information for potential buyers... 01/17/2010

Here is an interesting article I found today: Daily Real Estate News  |  November 6, 2009  |   Share Declining Inventory Sign of Stabilizing Market An important reason that the housing market is stabilizing is the reduction in inventory. Current sales and inventories suggest that supply will decline below the pre-2006 levels by the end of 2009. But analysts say that the stabilization of the market doesn’t mean that prices will rise anytime soon. They point to what they call “shadow inventory,” foreclosed homes that banks are holding off the markets. They predict that these homes will hit the market in spring 2010. But overall, they are optimistic that the housing recovery is built on an improving economy and say that the market will continue to stabilize. Source: BusinessWeek.com, James... 11/07/2009

Here are a few more pictures from our Halloween event. Thanks again to Linda, Jeff, Sal, Nate, Maddi, Deena, Phillip, Brian, Cody, Carole, Devin, Brandon and everyone who helped pull it off. And no, we are not satanic! We are Christians who know the real history of All Hallows Eve, look it up if you don't know: It has a religious background! We love Halloween and look forward to next year when we will have a few changes to keep everyone scared!     11/07/2009

Some people may have seen a bit of a spectacle in Botetourt County on Halloween thi syear. It began a couple weeks before Halloween with the installation of our Haunted Graveyard. It was set up over the next couple weeks and culminated in what I call "the show". We featured a full graveyard with over 24 tombstones, a flying ghost, an animated coffin, and moving corpse in a body bag and very scary looking bat that lowered itself over the doorway. And let's not forget the 12 volunteers who helped pull it off by operating the moving features and performing as ghosts and goblins who spooked the Trick-or-Treaters as they entered and exited the graveyard. Our neighbors were all very excited about it. We counted at least 95 children of all ages as well as their parents and anoth 10 adults tha ... 11/07/2009

This is an article recieved from: Daily Real Estate News  |  November 6, 2009  |   Share Obama Signs Extended Tax Credit into Law Expected to contribute approximately $22 billion to the economy, Congress overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan measure this week extending the $8,000 home buyer tax credit to April 30, 2010. The legislation, which is part of a larger bill that also extends unemployment benefits, was signed into law by President Obama today. More people are now eligible to take advantage of the law, which includes a $6,500 tax credit for buyers who are current home owners and have lived in their home for five of the past eight years. Income limits for eligible home buyers were also expanded to $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples, up from $75,000 for individuals a... 11/07/2009

We spent a good part of last month staging a fabulous horse property.  We painted, we cleaned, we brought in furniture and accessories, and we STAGED.  Now we are having a party to show off this wonderful property.  We have invited Realtors throughout SW and Central Virginia to tour this estate style property that is convenient to both Roanoke and Lexington. We will be serving authentic Derby style food that includes Grits, Cucumber Sandwhiches, Derby Pie, and Mint Juleps. We will be drawing for prizes and there will even be a prize for the best hat. Below are a few photos ...more will follow soon. For more details please go to http://www.create4u.biz/apr30.htm   04/27/2009

The Linkenhoker home-place, in historic Botetourt County, Virginia combines the charm of the Old South with one of the most beautiful settings to be found anywhere.  Since colonial times, it's rolling fields lush in bluegrass, it's cropland and forested areas, it's bubbling brooks and bold spring have produced the necessities of life for generations of our forefathers.  And today the well groomed acres attest to years of hard work and loving care.  The farmland now belongs to The Peter P. Slovinsky family.  The home-place was lovingly restored by the home's previous owners.  Only due to a job transfer is this home now being offered for sale.  The key living areas of this home have been staged to sell by Shows Great Home Staging.  For More Details and Photos Please go to http://www.histo... 11/23/2008

I recently had an opportunity to travel the Botetourt County Wine Trail. It is a bit short, consisting of just 3 vineyards, but the experiences presented by each are quality and worthwhile. Each is unique and offers a fair variety of wines, some award winners among them. I will refrain from critiquing the wines as I have a love of wine but I am no expert in the general public's palate preferences. The three vineyards in Botetourt as as follows, in no particular order: Fincastle Vineyard & Winery, Virginia Mountain Vineyards and Blue Ridge Vineyard. 11/10/2008

As of today, Friday 11/7, there are 1413 active residential real estate listings in Roanoke and Roanoke County. In all, the entire Roanoke Valley has 3938 homes available. Keep in mind that this figure does not include commercial, farm, land or multi-family homes. If this is not a buyers' market, then there never was one! The problem is, it seems that everyone is afraid to make the commitment to purchase a home. In short, my advice on that issue is this: If you have stable employment, I mean if you really feel certain that there is no risk of losing your job and in the event that you did, you would be able to find comparable employment quickly - then this is your opportunity to take advantage of a down market. Buy now if you can! I believe that, nationwide, if every american in that sit... 11/07/2008

This well built brick rancher is located in the historic town of Fincastle, Virginia and has been completed refurbished and provides all new mechanical components and fixtures.  Gleaming hardwood floors, new kitchen and baths, fresh paint and so much more.  This is one home you will want to see.  This home has been staged by Shows Great Home Staging. Click here to view Real Estate Show >For More Details Please Contact Listing Agent Wanda Richards of Long & Foster Real Estate WANDA RICHARDS, ABR LONG & FOSTER - ROANOKE NORTH P. O. BOX 1200DALEVILLE, VA 24083Office - (540) 966-1829Mobile - (540) 520-6434wanda@wandarichards.comhttp://www.wandarichards.com     11/03/2008

This exceptional farm will appeal to horse lovers because of it's spectacular views and easy access to both Roanoke and the Lexington Horse Center.  Situated on 20 acres (+/-), this fantastic Property offers lots of privacy. Hardwood floors throughout, large closets, lots of storage, large family room, deck off the kitchen and garden space, mudroom with laundry on first floor, first floor bedroom with bath and separate outside entrance. Wonderful 5 stall enclosed barn with tack room, feed room, rubber matted floors, lighted riding ring. Equipment-cattle shed and more.  Exceptional value at $435,000. This home has been staged to sell by Shows Great Home Staging and Web Solutions.  For more details please contact Susan Bailey or Kay Gauss of MKB REALTORS   08/13/2008

MOMO PLAY: A slang term used to describe an investment purely as a momentum play, not worrying about the company's fundamentals. MOMO is a word I am going to use here in Real Estate also. It's a combination of two words - Modern Momentum. It describes what people do when they see activity has picked up. Problem with that is everyone else has already gotten on the boat, and now you're really buying into a deal that's likely marked-up higher than when you could have gotten in just recently. As an investor (in Stocks and Real Estate), I see this happen all the time. It doesn't matter what kind of market we're having, because there are always good sectors and bad sectors in any given time. An example would be Alternative Energy stocks dizzily escalating up in a down market. In Real Estate, ... 05/26/2008