Roanoke County lowers real estate tax
As a followup to one of my last posts, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors has voted to decrease the Roanoke County real estate tax rate by one penny to $1.11 per $100 valuation.
You can read the full Roanoke Times story here.
Bedford County will not increase real estate tax
As reported in The Roanoke Times, the Bedford County Board of Supervisors will not be raising the Bedford County real estate tax for the upcoming year. Bedford County will continue to use the current rate of $0.65 per $100 of the assessed value of a home.
2005 Roanoke, Virginia Real Estate Numbers
According to the Virginia Association of Realtors, Roanoke in 2005 published impressive numbers in real estate sales. Our MLS area was well ahead of other areas in the state but we naturally lagged behind other areas as well, but overall I believe our numbers look great.
Roanoke Virginia Real Estate (2005)
Average Days on Market - 67
Homes sold - 5,831
Average price (on sold homes) - $201,185
Median price (on sold homes) - $156,200
Credit-reporting firms make a positive step
According to the Los Angeles Times, the three largest credit-reporting firms in the US- Equifax, Inc., Experian, and TransUnion, have collaborated on establishing a standardized credit score with the intent to make it easier (yeah right!) for consumers to understand their credit scores. They are calling it VantageScore.
Although the big three have worked together on this initiative, they will continue to collect their own credit data individually, and in my opinion, this will continue to make repairing errors in your credit file 3 times more difficult than it needs to be.
The ratings will be from a baseline of 501 to a max of 990. Consumers with a credit score of over 900 will receive an “A” rating. Borrowers can continue to keep their credit good by making timely bill payments, keeping credit balances low and showing a history of paying different types of debt.
You can get a free copy of your credit report by visiting this website- https://www.annualcreditreport.com/. It’s important to note, this is the only authorized website for a truly free credit report. Click here for more information.
Fastest growing counties
Interestingly, 3 out of the 10 fastest growing counties in the US are in Virginia. Two, as one would expect are in Northern Virginia (Loudon County and King George County). The other, Caroline County, is near Richmond.
Here is the full list according to Reuters–
1. Flagler County, Fla., north of Daytona Beach
2. Lyon County, Nev., near Carson City
3. Kendall County, Ill., outside of Chicago
4. Rockwell County, Texas, near Dallas
5. Washington County, Utah, 120 miles north of Las Vegas
6. Nye County, Nev. 100 miles north of Las Vegas
7. Pinal County, Ariz., near Phoenix
8. Loudon County, Va., suburban Washington, D.C.
9. King George County, Va., suburban Washington, D.C.
10. Caroline County, Va., near Richmond
Roanoke County opposes proposed sale of National Forest land
As I reported before, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors met to consider the proposed sale of National Forest land by the Bush Administration.
The Board unanimously voted to oppose the sale of the National Forest land within the boundaries of Roanoke County.
From The Roanoke Times-
The resolution said “this proposal would reverse decades of hard work to protect through public stewardship and management the vulnerable ridgelines and mountainsides, and would eliminate public open space and recreational uses.
“The resolution also asserts that “if this property were sold and developed it would have the following harmful effects upon the County: harm to the viewsheds from the Catawba community and the Appalachian Trail, and potential for soil erosion, soil loss, water runoff, flooding and loss of forested lands.”
The resolution will be forwarded to U.S. Reps. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, who chairs the powerful House Agriculture Committee that oversees the Forest Service, and Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, and Virginia Sens. John Warner and George Allen.
Roanoke County Supervisors hear request for lowering the real estate tax
The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday heard a request from a citizen to lower the real estate taxes on Roanoke County real estate and homes. The citizen noted that Roanoke County receives increased real estate revenues every year when real estate tax appraisals are increased. The Supervisors have not given any indication as to their decision on this matter.
Botetourt County real estate rezoning
According to The Roanoke Times Botetourt County has recently rezoned several agricultural zones to accomodate a nine-home subdivision and restaurant. They also rezoned another agricultural area off of Stonegate Drive for four single-family homes.
South Botetourt County continues to grow by leaps and bounds!
Roanoke County Real Estate Tax meeting tonight
Roanoke County residents will be able to have their say tonight regarding the proposed new Roanoke County real estate tax rates.
The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors will be meeting tonight’s at 6 p.m. in the Roanoke County Administration Center, 5204 Bernard Drive S.W. (Tanglewood Mall area).
For more information, read the article by Cody Lowe at The Roanoke Times.
Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate
I drove down to Goodview today to preview a listing. I must say, already there is a lot of real estate on the market in the Smith Mountain Lake area. Both on the lake and off, some pretty good deals too. The house I was previewing today is a fixer-upper. If you’re looking for a home with access to Smith Mountain Lake at a real good price, let me know, I’ve got one in mind for you.
New MLS for Roanoke REALTORS
The Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS today released our new FlexMLS system. It is a much more flexible MLS system as the name suggests, and allows Roanoke real estate agents to more easily navigate the homes for sale in Roanoke and surrounding areas. Bottom line, it’s easier than ever for me to help you find that perfect home you’re looking for!
Spring Peepers
My wife and I were driving through Botetourt County this evening (with the windows down, what a great day we had!) and in surround sound we often heard the spring peepers singing their chorus! What a great thing!
If you’re in the market for some real estate in Botetourt County and like spring peepers, I have several locations in mind for you. I’m sure Franklin, Roanoke and Bedford counties have them too and I’d be glad to find some real estate for you there as well, spring peepers included.
Flexible loans for law enforcement, firefighters, teachers & healthcare workers
HomeTown Bank is now offering very flexible loans solutions for all, and with special flexibilities for law enforcement officers, firefighters, teachers and healthcare workers. If you fall into one of those classes and have been thinking of buying a house, I recommend talking to Joanne Polly, Vice President and Mortgage Consultant at HomeTown. She can finance your home up to 105% total loan to value with 15, 20 and 30 year fixed rate mortgages and as little as $500 as your initial contribution. They even have loans available under this incentive for manufactured homes!
Give Joanne a call about your mortgage needs then let me help you find the right home for you. Her number is (540) 278-1711 or you can email her by clicking her name above.
Martha Stewart built my home
Those who follow Martha Stewart’s lead on home decorating, food preparation, gardening, et al., will now have a new option. Coming soon to a state near you, homes designed by Martha Stewart.
According to the Wall Street Journal, one of the nation’s largest home builders (KB Home) and Martha Stewart have started a joint venture in which Martha Stewart will design a line of homes carrying her name to be built and marketed by KB Home.
An exciting aside to those interested, a development is planned within an easy ride from Roanoke in Charlotte, NC.
Read more here– http://www.realestatejournal.com/
See pictures of the homes here– http://www.kbhome.com
Victorian Grandame in Old Southwest
Victorian Classic, circa 1896
One of Old Southwest’s Grandames rescued from multi-family use and completely rejuvenated in 2002. A broad, wrap-around front porch leads to original double front doors opening into a spacious foyer. The gracious living room is framed by 2 knee walls topped by columns with Corinthian capitals. Twin pocket doors open to the formal dining room. There are ornate tile surrounded fireplaces in both rooms. Pocket doors also separate the foyer and dining room from a huge eat-in kitchen with sunny breakfast area. The kitchen opens to a morning room with 2 walls of windows. The powder room still has the original ice box that was installed in the home. The main level also has a den and glassed in- back porch. The second level has a 2 room master suite with soaking tub and separate shower. There are 2 more bedrooms that access a glassed in porch. The second full bath has a private balcony. There is a laundry room and an entrance to a huge walkup attic with darkroom.
This is one of the few homes in the Historic District with a detached garage and a double lot. This home is bathed in light! The widow pattern is very unusual. There are many 24 over 1 pane window designs. Several 36 over 1 and one 54 over 1!
Priced to sell at only $309,950! Contact me for a showing!
