Originally from Northeast Ohio, I fell in love with Central Virginia the first time I came here. After years of visiting family and a lot of research on the area, ten years ago my husband and I decided this was the perfect place for us and decided to make the move. Two of our children were grown and living on their own, so we packed up the remaining four and haven't looked back since. I have spent over twenty years in the customer service and marketing industry.For the last nine years I have been working closely with a local builder, learning the housing business from the inside out.My enthusiasm for the central Virginia area, years of customer service and marketing experience, and time spent in the construction industry make me the perfect choice to represent you, whether your buying or selling
Why Use an e-PRO? An e-PRO is a REALTOR who has successfully completed the e-PRO training program for real estate professionals. Endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS I am in the top 1% of Realtors who have successfully completed the course to become e-Pro certified The e-PRO course teaches professionals the nuts and bolts of working with real estate on-line: Web sites, email, on-line tools, and most of all, what today's consumer really wants.In todays' market always staying one step ahead can make all the difference.
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Ten Things You Should Know About Virginia Real Estate
1.Theres no such thing as a national real estate market. If you read the newspapers, you might get the idea that real estate markets are the same everywhere. If conditions are bad in San Diego or Detroit or Miami, they must be bad everywhere, right? Wrong! Real estate markets are local; when youre looking to buy or sell, pay attention first to sales price trends, volume and inventory in your target market or region, rather than to misleading headlines about national sales trends.
2.Virginia home values are stable. From October 2006 through October 2007, the average price of a Virginia home has grown 4.3 percent, from $222,800 to $232,487. Yes, there are pockets in Virginia where home prices have declined-largely due to unsustainable price growth in those markets during the past two years-but even in those areas, generally speaking, homes are still worth more now than they were three years ago. Overall, since November 2004, the average price of a typical Virginia home has appreciated 42 percent, from $163,750 to $232,487 today.
3. A house is a place to make a home, not just a buck. Most purchasers dont buy a house to flip it. They buy it to live in. The value of strong communities, rooted families, civic pride, comfortable retirement, and a higher quality of life cant be expressed on a balance sheet.
4.Housing demand in Virginia is set to grow. Estimates show the Commonwealths population will increase by almost 500,000 by 2010. These new Virginians will need a place to live.
5.There are hundreds of reputable mortgage companies ready to lend. Buyers with good credit and a realistic view of what they can afford should have an easier time obtaining mortgage approval. Help is also available for those with damaged credit or limited means through the Virginia Housing Development Authority (HUD) and other organizations. The market favors Virginias first-time homebuyers.
6.First time buyers in Virginia are younger and have higher incomes-theyre typically 25-34 years old and earn a median income of $71,300 annually (22 percent higher than the national average of $55,300). They made up 29 percent of all Virginia home sales in 2006. And theres currently plenty of inventory for first-time buyers to choose from.
7.Owning a home builds wealth in a way that renting cant. According to the Federal Reserve Board, the average renters net worth is $4,800, while the average homeowners net worth is $171,000. Clearly, it pays to own a home.
8.Its prime time for second homes. Savvy investors and prospective retirees know real estate is important to their portfolios. About one third of all home sales are second homes or vacation properties and Virginia has plenty of inventory and desirable locations for those seeking them.
9.Use a Virginia Realtor®; get up to 26 percent more for your home. The median selling price of single-family FSBO homes in Virginia was $239,500 compared with $313,400 for Realtor®-assisted home sales at the end of 2006, a difference of $63,900. The advantages of developing an ongoing relationship with a professional-a Realtor®-speaks for itself
10.Now really IS the time to buy. Housing inventory levels are the highest in years, and interest rates are still low. If youre a buyer, this market is for you. But if you need to sell first, be patient, and price your home correctly. Right now Virginia homes sell after an average 127 days on the market, only five days more than the 10-year average of 122 (though this number varies among price ranges and markets). Competitive pricing is important. Experts agree, well-priced homes sell faster.
