Lake Anna VA Real Estate Specialist - Kathleen Elim

Private / Public...What's That All About? UPDATED

2008-07-25T13:32:24Z

Lake Anna has dual personalities. One side is very private while the other is more public. There is also a hot side and a cold side or a warm side and a cold side, or a private side and the main lake. So many names with so many connotations but what do they mean?

The entire 13,000+ acre lake was created by and belongs to Virginia Dominion. Virginia Dominion has an easement around the entire lake. The North Anna River was dammed in order to create the lake and to build a nuclear plant. The plant required cooling lagoons for the reactors and so Lake Anna was divided into two sections, one most often referred to as the private side which is made up of the three lagoons.

The land around the lake belongs to individual owners. Those with waterfront property have exclusive use of that particular piece of shoreline known as Virginia Dominion's easement. As property owners they may use that part of their property for recreation and agriculatural purposes only, not for building any structures. Subdivisions also have common areas for the use of the property owners within that particular community.

Waterfront property owners have boat houses/shelter or docks on their waterfront. Permission must be obtained from Virginia Dominion and building permits are required from the county.

The main lake is approximately 9,600 surface acres of water. Located in Louisa and Spotsylvania Counties with a small area with Orange County, the main lake has several marinas where people can take their boats by water for gas or servicing. There are four places where you can arrive by boat, dock and get something to eat*. This can be a fun thing to do and is very popular by many residents and others spending time at the lake. Lake Anna State Park with all its amenities is located on the main lake. The only commercial waterfront land is located on the main lake. There is absolutely none on the private side.

The main lake is also known as the public side and the cold side.

The private side of Lake Anna has 3,400 surface acres of water and is located in Louisa County. There are channels linking the three lagoons to one another so that residents on the private side are able to access the complete private side.

In the map to the left you will see where the three dikes are as well as the dam. The channels can are also shown.

As there are no marinas on that side with launch areas, the general public is not able to put their boats in that side of the lake. Gas cans are filled at stations or marinas or other arrangementss are made. There are no restaurants or any type of commercial property anywhere on the shoreline.

No matter which side of Lake Anna one is on, there is more than evough space. It is amazing how large both sides are. There is more than enough room for lots of boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and all the other water activities that people love to indulge in. Come and join the fun.

By no means is this all to say about Lake Anna's dual personality. It does, however, give you a pretty good idea of the differences on the two sides.

The big question always is, "Which is the best side?" To me it is like asking a parent with two children which is their favorite. Either they do not have one or they are each the favorite for different reasons.

Whichever side one chooses as their spot on Lake Anna is generally based on finding the house that best suits their needs or the lot that speaks out to them.

One thing is certain, you cannot go wrong no matter which side becomes home for you. You have picked a winner!

If you do not have your Lake Anna home or lot as yet, I'll be more than happy to help you.

*Last night Jim and I went out to dinner. We had a very enjoyable time at The Anna Cabana, a new lakeside restaurant with a large deck for outdoor dining. We had perfect weather, great service, and very, very good food. I'll be writing and sharing pictures of this new spot on Lake Anna shortly.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Buyer Agents...Is the Sky the Limit?

2008-07-23T21:21:11Z

Buyer Agents...Now that it is a Buyer's Market, how different are the contracts you are writing?

I'm talking not only about the initial offer and subsequent counters as I am sure most of them are much lower than they would have been a couple of years ago. I am curious if items have come into play other than some of the typical closing costs often asked for when it is a buyer's market.

Have you and your buyer begun to request that the seller pay or agree to any of the following:

Home Inspection
Radon Inspection
Appraisal
Non-compensation for propane gas or oil
Property Owners Association Fees
Real Estate Taxes
Hazard Insurance

Perhaps there are other items that were generally paid for by the buyer that are now being required of the seller or at least becoming negotiating points. If so, it would be interesting to know what they are.

Is everything fair game?

Do you feel that as a buyer's agent it is your duty to suggest the seller pay for some or all of these items?

How do you balance getting the best deal for your client without going so far that you actually jeopardize any possibility of getting a ratified contract?

Please understand that I have my own answers for these questions. That is not why I am asking.

I am asking simply to find out what is the general concensus now given the state of the market.

I am curious what You are doing.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Lake Anna, VA...No Sharks, No Jellyfish & No Flood Insurance

2008-07-18T16:50:18Z

There is no problem going on and on telling you all the wonderful things that are so special about Lake Anna. Perhaps you would like to know some of the things we do not have here.

They include:

No Sharks...To the best of my knowledge, there has never been a reported shark sighting. Isn't it pretty nice to know you can just jump in the lake, swim to your heart's content and never, ever have to worry about a shark becoming your swimming companion.
No Jellyfish...As much as many of us love peanut butter and jelly, for some reason we are not that fond of jellyfish. Well, it may be comforting to know that they are not inclined to live here. They have left Lake Anna to us. None have ever been found anywhere in the over 13,000 surface acres of water.
No Flood Insurance...What a wonderful place to be. Here you can live right on the waterfront enjoying your own piece of the shoreline without the worry or expense of flood insurance. This is really a luxury. Many property owners of waterfront property elsewhere have a very difficult time even finding an insurer and then when they do, the price becomes the second hurdle for many.

These are three features Lake Anna fortunately lacks. Sometimes it is better not to have something. For Lake Anna , in this case, this is a positive.

If you have not begun to enjoy what Lake Anna does have to offer perhaps you should give it a try. That list is much longer than three items. It is about time you found out for yourself what they are.

If you need any help let me know.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

It's Never Too Late and You Are Never Too Old

2008-07-12T16:01:17Z

Why is it that even for many REALTORS® who have been been in the business for a long time, the chance to learn new ways of doing things, exchanging ideas and opinions, and being open to new technology, is always exciting?

True there may be a few that resist.

Most, however, are eager to learn and grow. I find myself, at 71, sometimes wondering how much longer will I be selling real estate. Yet, when the opportunity presents itself, I like many others, leap at the chance to improve. There are even times when we go looking for new things to learn.

Many agents that have been at it a long time have embraced new technology with a fervor that surprises even them. Certainly some of this new technology has opened up avenues to share latent interests. How many older agents have embraced photography and videotography*? I believe there are quite a few. Some agents now have avenues to express themselves by writing of their prior and current experiences buying and selling homes over decades. With much to share they find themselves blossoming in a field that many thought would leave them by the wayside.

Older agents provide wonderful role models for those entering the profession. The realization that this is a field you can continue to enjoy well into "maturity" must be seen as the advantage it is. There is no mandatory retirement age, no set age where you are put out to pasture.

What is required is that you keep current with changes in the industry. For many of us that is not so much a requirement but rather a way to keep interested in what we do. Stagnation is not good for any of us. The more we learn, the more we explore options, the better we become at what we do. When we perform better the results improve and we have happier clients. That is the beauty of real estate.

*I don't believe there is such a word, yet cinematography sounds way too professional.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Lake Anna, VA Real Estate Update May-June 2008...Water Access Homes

2008-07-11T15:54:32Z

Below are the water access homes, which includes those with water view that are not waterfront, currently under contract or settled between May 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008.

As you can see, a number of homes were reduced prior to receiving contracts. There are some homes that were on the market, taken off, and subsequently re-listed. In these cases the original price may be lower than the price when they were listed for the first time.

If you happen to see one of the houses that you had been considering, do not give up hope. We have a large inventory of water access homes and you still have an opportunity to find one that meets your needs within your price range.

A favorite of mine is on the market. This home has so many wonderful features it may become your favorite too.

NEWS FLASH...Flip Video Camcorders from $117.95

2008-07-09T23:10:04Z

If you are in the market for one of the newest techy toys be sure to check out both Flips.

Do you want the Flip Ultra Video Camcorder? On amazon.com the prices range between $117.95 and $123.00 depending on the color you order.

The Flip Mino Camcorder is priced at $145.54 on amazon.com.

It is the newer version, released June 2008. It is very similar to the Ultra, simply smaller and lighter.

If you are an amazon.com customer you may well have free shipping when you order $25.00 or more. You will receive your shipment in two days (not bad at all)

This is the only place I looked as I am always content with the service and prices I find there. You may be able to do even better elsewhere but amazon.com is a great place to get an idea of a low price.

How will you know if you want the Flip Ultra or the Flip Mino? Here is an abbreviated comparison of the two.

Flip Ultra Camcorder

Simple to use, pocket-sized camcorder with one-touch recording and digital zoom
Holds 60 minutes of full VGA-quality video on 2GB of built-in memory; no tapes or additional memory cards required
Convenient USB arm plugs directly into your computer for easy viewing and sharing
Built-in software lets you easily e-mail videos, upload to YouTube and AOL, and capture still photos from video
Watch videos instantly on TV with included cable
Dimensions: 1.2 x 2.2 x 4.2 inches
Weight: 12 ounces

Flip Mino Camcorder

Pocket-sized camcorder; Flat back panel with touch-sensitive buttons; 1.5-inch color LCD screen
2 GB of on-board flash memory--records up to 60 minutes of video; 2x digital zoom
Internal Lithium-ion battery recharges when built-in USB arm is connected to a computer
Connects to TV for instant viewing
Built-in software lets you easily edit video files and upload them to video sharing sites
Height: 3.94 inches
Weight: 9.6 ounces
Width: 1.97 inches

You have two or three more color choices for the Flip Ultra. The Mino comes in black or white. I chose the white one.

Tracy Santrock has a great post that will help all of us with this new toy, Flip Video Mino - My new Techy Toy for the Gadget Gal(GG).

Since writing this post I did a little research (typical) and found an interesting article from PC World which may be helpful to any of you considering a purchase. I wanted to check prices (why now, after I bought one???) and came across this review http://www.pcworld.com/article/146881/pure_digital_flip_mino_camcorder.html.

For the record, amazon.com had the best price according to what I saw.

Those that have been using their Flip camcorders have made some great videos. Hope we all get proficient at using this newest tool to help us with our real estate business. It is another tool that will enable us to do a better job for our sellers and buyers.

With the new Localism.com we will be able to show off our listings and our communities. Buyers will be able to get an even better feel for what our areas have to offer.

Have fun!__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Have You Been There Yet?

2008-07-09T17:09:53Z

If not, hurry, hurry, hurry!

What am I talking about? Where do I think you should go? Of course, I am talking about our new localism.com.

It deserves a little fanfare and here it is. Please excuse the photo quality. It is off the TV, taken on the Fourth of July during the fireworks on the Mall in Washington, DC.

Isn't it great to be a part of ActiveRain when things like this happen? I'm excited.

Someday we will look back and say, "Hey, I was there on July 9th when they rolled out the new Localism.comwhich has proven to be a great stimulus for my business."

I truly feel that I will be saying that because my intention is to utilize it as much as possible to promote Lake Anna, VA. What about you?

Wish I had used my new Flip Mino so I could share the wonderful sound as well. Live and Learn. That's exactly what we are all doing here in the Rain.

Now pretend we are enjoying a little fanfare.

Lake Anna, VA Real Estate Update May-June 2008...Waterfront Homes

2008-07-09T16:18:47Z

Below are the waterfront homes that are currently under contract or settled between May 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008.

As you can see, a number of homes were reduced prior to receiving contracts. There are some homes that were on the market, taken off, and subsequently relisted. In these cases the original price may be lower than the price when they were listed for the first time.

If you happen to see one of the houses that you had been considering, do not give up hope. We have a large inventory of waterfront homes and you still have an opportunity to find one that meets your needs within your price range.

Here is a beauty that is currently on the market. Hurry before this one goes under contract.

This lovely home is located in a small community on the private side of Lake Anna. With more than 2500 square feet of finished living space plus a huge deck across the back of the home looking out at the water, there is plenty of room to entertain friends and family. If you are looking for a place to kick back and relax, here it is.

A boat house at your shore enables you to quickly get out on the water for all types of fun activities. Wouldn't you enjoy a view like this from your home?

It is listed at $698,000.

Additional reports will be posted with information on water access homes, waterfront lots, and water access lots.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Would Watermarks Protect Posts from Plagarism?

2008-07-05T21:04:28Z

This is a question for all you techy folks on the Rain. Is it possible to put watermarks, say our names, on here as we begin to write a new blog?

Would that help to cut down on others plagiarizing our posts? This is not for my personal benefit. As far as I know, no one has tried to do that with any of my writings. (Should I be feeling lucky or ashamed?)

This thought came to me when I was reading a post by Chris Elizabeth Griffith, Five Finger Discounted Blog. Once you read Chris' post you will better understand why I posed the question above. It is important that we find a way to protect ourselves from things like this.

If anyone knows how we might do a very faint but discernible watermark to distinguish our writings I am sure there are many of us that would love to know.

Would this watermark be copied along with everything else if someone wanted to cut and paste any of our material? If that is possible we might be able to cut down on plagiarizing.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Who Would Get Married on Independence Day?

2008-07-04T10:16:59Z

We did. That's right, 16 years ago today Jim and I married. It was quite a day. Fortunately we had beautiful weather and almost every family member with us plus lots of friends.

Not only did we marry on that day we threw a great big party that lasted a week. A Week!!! Yes, it was a combination slumber party and food fest.

We had family come from as far away as Florida, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Alaska. Of course that required some serious visiting time. We happily complied.

Both Jim and I were moving to Lake Anna from Northern Virginia. We rented a furnished waterfront home for six months which was going to be most of the time we would need to get our house built. (OK, so we made some erroneous assumptions.)

We put most of the furniture from my place and Jim's furniture from his home in storage. Many of our personal items were put there also. Little did we know that they would be there for almost 26 months! Enough said about that, the rest goes in a separate post soooooooooooooooooomday.

Well, there we were knowing we would have this rented waterfront home when we married so why not tell as many folks as possible to come, celebrate, and stay. Believe it or not, two of my sisters, my cousin Linda from Florida, and my daughter took us up on it. We housed the four of them in a bedroom with four bunk beds. Jim's sister, brother-in-law and nephew stayed also.

We had a wonderful time. The weather was excellent. The lake inviting. The company fun and the food plentiful and delicious. Evidently that was our honeymoon. We could not have picked a better place to be.

It goes to show that a waterfront home at Lake Anna is a wonderful place to live, to vacation, and to even have your honeymoon.

Now here we are 16 years later. While we guessed wrong about the length of time we would need to complete our new waterfront home we guessed right on the choice of a mate. I am even happier and much more confident of the wisdom of choosing to marry Jim now than I was back then even though we had known each other for four years. He better be happier too!

We are a perfect example of a couple making a commitment to give up some (hey, not all) independence on Independence Day and happy we did.

I love sharing my wedding anniversary with our country's birthday.

Have fun and be safe!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Remembering Memorial Day on the Fourth of July

2008-07-03T13:48:44Z

Although in many ways this is a tribute to my husband and his classmates, Class of 1953, it is also a tribute to the current cadets at West Point and to everyone that ever attended there or any of the military acadamies.

It is also a tribute to everyone that honorably served to the U.S. military and to all those in civilian life that have made this such a great nation.

This year as I celebrate the Fourth of July I will be thinking of this past Memorial Day. We had the honor of being at the United States Military Academy at West Point during the Memorial Day weekend celebrating my husband's 55th Class Reunion.

That's right, it has been 55 years since Jim graduated from West Point. There were other classes there as well, members of the Classes of 1958, 1943 (June), 1943 (January), 1938, and 1933. That's right, there were two graduates of the Class of 1933.

The reunions are held every five years for each class and although this was my fifth reunion I believe it was my most meaningful. Perhaps it was because we are getting older and you really begin to wonder how many more you will be attending.

One year we sat through a Army-Air Force football game in the pouring rain. Some folks didn't even go to the game which started before the rain did but we enjoyed every minute of it. What an exciting time we had and the others missed. Needless to say, Army won which does not happen often against Air Force.

For many of us, the highlight of the long week-end was the parade at the academy with all of the reunion members marching as well as the cadets. What a beautiful, heartwarming event that was. It is every single time we see it.

As I sat in the stands with the other wives and relataives I immediately wished that our eleven children (off-spring and spouses) along with our 10 grandchildren were here with me watching Jim along with all the others taking part in a very moving ceremony.

The closeness that these graduates feel for one another in indescribable. Many, like Jim, had long distinguished careers as military officers servicing together in various places around the globe. They have created and secured a free nation where we can flourish.

Others have done the same whether as civil servents, members of the Peace Corps, in education, science, the media, industry, farming, maintaining our vital infrastructure, raising children and grandchildren, contributing in so many ways, each a vital part of this country. We all contribute to the success and the failures of our United States.

Ours is a nation that is wonderful in so many ways and yet has room to improve. Like an individual, there is always room for improvement.

May your Fourth of July this year and every one after be filled with gratitude and joy for that which is ours.

View of the Hudson from the Academy - Roof of Army's Field House

Cadet Chapel at West Point

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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Are There Limits to What You Ask a Seller to Do?

2008-07-02T12:36:52Z

Certainly one of the most important things a REALTOR does is advise their sellers of the things that should (must) be done to make a property more marketable, especially in a slower market.

A listing I have has been on the market too long. One of the first things I suggested be done is the purchase of a boat slip. Just about everyone that moves to Lake Anna is here because of a love of the water. They want to be able to access the water by boat for fishing and other activities. The owners subsequently purchased a slip for $18,000.

Having an assigned boat slip means you can leave your boat in the water all year round if you want to. That is a big plus and factors into resale potential also. When working with and representing buyers, I always advise that we look at lots and/or homes that have a dedicated boat slip if they are looking for off water property.

Next came the installation of two new windows. Included are before and after photos so you see the difference they make. (Sorry, I thought I had the before pictures but they are either on my other computer or I actually deleted them which would be a first for me. Please use your imagination and picture the house with those windows on each side of the gargae gable missing.) From the moment the house was built it was obvious that it needed curb appeal help. We discussed it off and on for some time until I used a little cut and paste doctoring up a photo of the house with new windows. That convinced the sellers.

There's more. The house has a walk-out lower level placing the main level a story off the ground. It did not have any access from the main level to the back yard. I felt the house sorely needed a deck off the rear with access from the family room. This was just completed. Not only do we have a deck, we have a 30' x 16' deck and sliders.

What more can I ask to have done on a house that is listed at $349,900? It definitely is not overpriced now although it was originally priced too high (not my idea).

The house is a new construction and cries out for staging. There is not a single thing in there, completely vacant. I would love to suggest it again. Yes, I have mentioned it once.

Have you had a similar situation? If so, how did you handle it?

Anyone else, any suggestions?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Help...Commission Payment on Lease to Purchase...AR Please Come to Our Rescue

2008-06-28T11:49:38Z

If any of you have had or know any agents that have received full or partial payment of a commission on a Lease to Purchase prior to the actual transfer of title please let me know.

Lease to Purchase Agreements are becoming more and more prevalent in some markets. We are seeing them even at Lake Anna.

A seller I am working with is considering one right now and I am trying to figure out if there is any legal way we can include at least a partial commission in the terms.

Last August one of my listings had a Lease to Purchase Agreement accepted by my seller. At that time we had the house listed for sale and also as a Lease to Purchase. I received a payment equal to one month's rent on that transaction at the time the lease began. I am still confident this house will be going to settlement, August 2009, and our brokerage will receive the commission at that time. However, we have no guarantee.

The waterfront home I have listed now is in the MLS as a sale only priced at $698,000. We had a client from another company go to the seller's home days ago and propose a Lease to Purchase. At this point we are all trying to work out possible terms. (We are also trying hard to not offend the possible purchaser by asking him to work through the agents.)

My concern is the delay in the commission payment. Purchaser/Lessee would like a 2-3 year lease. I discouraged my client on the three year lease because of how it would affect her ownership of the house. If it did not settlement prior to three years of a lease she would have capital gains reprecussions as she will not have lived in the house for two out of the last five.

I understand the need to consider the sellers needs above my own and that is fine. However, I am wondering if there is a legitimate way we (the two brokers) can receive some compensation for all the work we have to do in order to make this happen.

What happened to time is of the essence (for the REALTORS®)?

The seller will be receiving an upfront payment plus monthly payments. The purchaser will be receiving the use of the house. And the agents???????????????????????????

Are any of you experiencing this situation? How are you handling it?

If any of you have any knowledge of how this can be done or suggetions I would appreciate it very much.

I would like to thank ActiveRain and my fellow Rainers in advance.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Who Doesn't Love Fireworks?

2008-06-26T16:57:20Z

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, folks are planning where they will go to see fireworks.

It is very hard to imagine celebrating the birth of our country without fireworks.

The colors, the sounds, the sparkle just send a thrill through me. I wouldn't be surprised if you felt the same way.

What is even better than watching a firework display is watching it over the water. Lake Anna has been celebrating July 4th with fireworks for a number of years now. Boats come from up and down the lake to congregate close to where the show takes place.

In 1997 when I planned the 25th anniversary celebration (the first ever celebration) for Lake Anna I was lucky enough to find a neighbor, Richard Cooley, who had retired from Zambelli International which is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA. Richard was Director of Shows and he did a wonderful job for us. It was the best community activity we ever had here at Lake Anna up to that point.

This year our annual Fourth of July celebration will take place on Saturday, July 5th. Richard Cooley continues to have bigger jobs elsewhere on the 4th and volunteers his time for ours usually the day before or the day after. He is a tremendous neighbor.

If you will be near Lake Anna be sure to hitch a ride on a boat and get yourself situated near Dike 2 before sundown so you can join us for our July 4th (on the 5th).

Remember, wherever you are on July 4th be safe and remember those that are keeping us safe.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

So What if the Price of Gas is High

2008-06-25T22:07:50Z

You wouldn't mind giving this handsome couple all of your hard earned money for a few gallons of gas, would you?

We may be out in the country but we have something I have never seen in even the classiest part of any major city.

Dapper Dan and Fancy Fran are just two of the folks that make our part of the world so special.

Naturally we have an obligation to take care of them. We want to ensure that they have the means to purchase additional finery should their outfits become a little soiled or outdated. Certainly hair styles like theirs need maintenance and who knows what other expenses they may have.

We love having high society living amongst us so if you pass by this way please don't hesitate to stop. Don't even give a thought to what it might cost you.

Fill'er up with classy gas!

(Disclaimer...these are not functioning pumps. Shh, don't let Dapper Dan & Fancy Fran know I told you.)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Is Radon on Your Radar?

2008-06-24T21:52:59Z

Home inspections have become very commonplace in my part of the country. Radon inspections are lagging behind and I am curious as to why.

As a buyer's agent do you consistently recommend radon test? Do you have factual knowledge if radon is prevelant or nonexistent in your market area?

Recently I was involved with the sale of a home built on a crawl space. As the buyer's agent I recommended a radon test along with the home inspection. Fortunately the buyers agreed to have this done. I have been recommending them for years and buyers always agree to the test.

When I presented the contract the listing agent was surprised that we had included the radon contingency. She did not believe that a home with a crawl space would have radon. They do and this one did.

It made me reflect that there may be a number of people that have worked with that agent and other agents that are not aware of the need for radon tests no matter whether a house has a basement, crawl space, or is built on a slab.

According to the EPA 1 out of 15 homes in the United States has an elevated level of radon. Many people do not realize how prevalent radon is and what the ramifications may be if the levels are too high.

This drawing shows the different ways radon can enter a home.

RADON GETS IN THROUGH:

Cracks in solid floors
Construction joints
Cracks in walls
Gaps in suspended floors
Gaps around service pipes
Cavities inside walls
The water supply

The EPA provides a guide which is helpful for agents and clients, http://epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html.

The cost for a radon test is not significant especially compared to the cost of mitigation if discovered later on or to the potentially larger risk in terms of health.

There are some listing agents that suggest sellers have a home inspection done prior to putting a house on the market. Suggesting that a radon test be done at the same time would be a good thing also.

Protect your buyer or seller and yourself.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Associates...To Add or Not to Add

2008-06-22T16:48:01Z

It's been some months now since I discovered ActiveRain (and of course now I cannot remember how that happened) and I have learned much in that time. However, there is one thing that I do not quite understand and that is Associates. And yet I have some.

What are Associates?

Will they be attending my 75th birthday party to celebrate the big event with me?
Will they be saving me from bankruptcy if the price of gas goes up much higher (this is really a joke from a hybrid owner)?
Are they planning to put all of my grandchildren through college?

It is very important to me to know the answers to these questions. There was a period of time where I began clicking on the 'Add Associate' button for many of the members when subscribing to their posts.

At some point I actually began to ask myself why.

What was I accomplishing?
What had I missed learning?
Is it just to make me feel good (it does, it does)?

Of course others were adding me as their Associate.

Did that mean when their children grew up and married I would be expected to send a wedding present?
To name them in my will?
To invite them to spend the summer at Lake Anna?

I became confused. What was expected of me? What should I be doing to deserve this honor?

If there is anyone out there that can answer some of these questions for me I promise to make you an Associate. That's if you want to be.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Do You Welcome Your New Neighbors?

2008-06-20T23:41:41Z

Just the other day I was out driving and suddenly I noticed a Newbie in my neighborhood. Of course, I did not keep driving. I put my car in park, hit the hazard light button, put my window down, and began to snap pictures.

Some Newbies may be shy but not this guy. After the first shot, he called out for me to zoom in even closer. I did. He really did not seem to mind that I got up close and personal with my camera.

Hopefully you will enjoy my new friend as much as I do. I like folks with a colorful life and if this one's personality is anything like his wardrobe he must be fun. What I wouldn't give for that yellow hat.

When I got up the nerve to ask him his name (of course I was talking to the back of his head) he mumbled something like, Stanley - the Spotsylvania Scarecrow.

I told him my name and meant to tuck my business card in his pocket but felt a bit pushy. Perhaps when I go back and talk with him face to face.

I am not recommending that you take your eyes off the road but if you do occasionally, you never know who you might get to meet.

While out driving if you spot him standing in his cornfield you will know that a few miles down the road you can pull into my driveway for a visit.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Are You Talking Yourself Right Out of Real Estate?

2008-06-19T17:34:29Z

What do you do when you receive a call from a potential client and they ask you how the real estate market is?

Recently I had such a call from a lot owner here at Lake Anna. I told him the truth.*

I told him few lots are selling especially non-waterfront, what we call access lots. (We are selling a good number of homes on access lots.) We have a very large inventory of access lots and the prices have come down to the point that he would probably be lucky to sell for $xx,xxx even though his lot has an assigned boat slip. He would have been able to get perhaps $20-30,000 more for it when the market was hot.

This evening I received a call from a potential buyer looking for investment property at Lake Anna. He only wanted to buy a waterfront home to rent out. The requirement was that the rental income cover his monthly expenses, mortagage and taxes. Putting the minimum down, the mortgage payments would be quite high.

Waterfront homes begin around $500,000 and go up to over $2,000.000. The caller was looking for a waterfront foreclosure thinking we might have a number of those and they would now be priced very low. Well, thank goodness, that is not the case.

There are a number of beautiful waterfront homes now on the market priced well below what they could have sold for when the market was very busy. However, they are still nowhere near "fire sale" prices. I do not know of any properties here that will fit his requirements and I told him so.**

There are certainly investment possibilities here if the buyer is able to take the long view. Buying now at reduced prices and holding it until the market peaks again will net them a fine return but it is not going to happen overnight.

How is the situation where you are and how do you respond to sellers?
When buyers ask you if the bottom has hit yet what do you say?
Do you find yourself talking yourself out of listings?
Or working with buyers?

I believe I am very optimistic about real estate. I could not have been in it all these years through this downturn and the others I've experienced if that was not the case. Nevertheless, I do not want to give a false impression either. Sometimes that means turning away "business."

*At the end of our conversation, Mr. Seller thanked me for my honesty and said for me to call him when I thought it would be a good time for him to sell.

**Mr. Buyer said he would save my number and call me when he is able to buy a waterfront home for his family.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

A Newbie To Envy

2008-06-18T23:32:28Z

If you are anything like me you love looking at beautifully designed homes and the rooms within when the decorating does them justice. One more thing we probably share is a keen interest in photographs of these homes.

I just discovered a new member of the Rain and thought you might like to learn a little about him. Two of his photos are above.

Adrian Valle is a professional photographer in Los Angeles. Acccording to his profile he specializes in interior design photography, architectural photography, restaurant and bar photography and advertising/product photography.

If you in the LA area and need a photographer you are fortunate to have one with Adrian's talents on your doorstep.

I believe that he will bring a great deal to the Rain. Even if I am never able to emulate his photos, I can delight in looking at them.

Please take some time to see Adrian's talent yourself, Architectural Photographer Los Angeles.

Adrian Valle has only written one post on the Rain. I believe you will find it interesting and the photographs something to envy. Please encourage him to share more.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should

2008-06-18T13:41:59Z

That's right...just because you can upload a zillion photos to your MLS for your listings does not mean you should.

We always come back to Quantity vs. Quality. The best combination is when we can achieve Quality & Quantity. However, when we cannot, go with quality every time.

The MLS I belong to (and 55,480 others) is very generous. We are able to upload 30 (that's right, thirty) photos for each listing (and there is no charge). That is a lot of pictures.

There certainly are properties that can easily "pose" for 30 beauty shots. We've all seen them even if we may not have listed them. They are the waterfront homes with as much square footage as a football field, loads of amenities, professionally landscaped grounds, and every conceivable plus a home could have. Or, perhaps it's a Manhattan penthouse with lots of glamour.

However, there are others that definitely can not handle 30 shots. Do not feel as though you must have that many. If they are not going to enhance your listing, if they are going to show things in an unflattering light, why use them?

Come to think of it, how many photos can you take of a new construction, not staged, about 1500 square feet, with absolutely no grass or landscaping?

Believe me, I am not advocating that you be deceptive. I am merely recommending that your job as the listing agent is to focus on the good points. The other things will announce themselves loud and clear once a prospect makes a visit. Meanwhile, you have done your best to encourage buyers to take a look. That is exactly what we sign up to do.

What are your thoughts?_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Do You Put the Same Posts on More Than One Blog?

2008-06-17T09:35:55Z

For those with a personal blog, do you put the same posts on Active Rain and also on your other blog? Being a relatively new blogger, at least I think of myself as a novice on the blogosphere, I do not know the etiquette behind this practice.

Is it permissible? Is it frowned upon? Is it a smart move? Is it a time saver?

Finding it hard to keep up with all the things in my life...see, I am so like you...I am hoping to take some shortcuts. I have put some of my posts on Active Rain and on my personal blog but I've done it with an uneasy feeling that I might not be doing the "right" thing.

Do you ever copy and paste from one blog to the other? Or, do you take a post you may have put on Active Rain and changed it somewhat, or shortened it, or deleted/added pictures before putting it on your other blog or the other way around?

Please share what is acceptable and what is not. What you do and what you would not do.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Would Your Buyers Be Impressed?

2008-06-16T15:38:35Z

Would you rush your clients to see this home? What exactly is this agent trying to convey? That the room has a window? Drapes? A fan? Some type of cable? Carpeting?

It certainly does not give you any idea of the size or shape of the room. Looking at this picture one would think that this is a very small room.

Certainly having a concrete driveway is a plus. However, there is another photo that shows the garage and the driveway. This does not really add much except that there's alot of concrete. Less than exciting.

One amenity that appeals to many home buyers is a separate front entrance.

When a home has a foyer it conveys a nice welcoming without everyone stepping right into your living space.

Fortunately this home has a foyer. However, the photo looks as though it is just big enough to get your feet in the door. Hopefully there is more to this space than just a couple of feet. Guess we will have to use our imagination.

The purpose of taking so many photos is to give buyers as acccurate impression of what a property looks like. It is impossible to convey the total feel of a home but we should be doing the best we can.

When you see a photo of this foyer the immediate thought comes to mind...What a difference a wide angle lens would make.

Do we not owe this to our sellers to invest in the type of equipment that will do what needs to be done?

Spending a fortune is not necessary. We simply need to do some research and find something affordable that will enable us to take pictures that show properties to their best advantage.

Granted there were other photos (not of the foyer or of this particular bedroom) to perhaps attract a buyer. However, bad shots can be distracting. They may well take away from any positive impression a buyer or agent may be forming.

MRIS, our mulitple listing system, enables us to add up to 30 photos to a listing. This listing has the max. Should it? Does that mean we must always add the full 30? If some are unflattering in that they may convey the wrong impression perhaps we are being more accurate if we do not include them.

It certainly is something to think about. What are your thoughts? Would you include or leave out photos like this?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate " Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Our Dad WAS Superman!

2008-06-14T23:34:48Z

That is what my sisters and I always believed and still do.

My mom and dad grew up during the depression. They were high school sweethearts and married shortly after my mother graduated. This was just two years after my father's graduation.

Before many years had passed they had three little girls. Life was beginning to be a little easier for them financially but there was a war going on, World War II.

It was during this time that my dad thought about all the young men that were fighting to keep his family safe. My father enlisted.

Through the years, I have often thought of this when I heard younger people talk about supporting a war or conflict from the safety of their home.

My dad was not going to be drafted. He was a husband and a father of three. It was his commitment to his family.

My dad had the good fortune, or misfortune as some thought, to have four daughters. We felt as though my dad could do anything. We knew he was Superman.

These are just a few of the things that my dad did. He could:

Change a car's transmission
Chage a grandchild's messy diaper
Knit mittens for his children
Repair a neighbor's furnace
Teach his daughters to drive
Develop photographs that he took of us when we were little girls
Take wonderful care of his mother-in-law as she was dying from cancer.
Remodel our home even moving two staircases and he turned an unfinished attic into two bedrooms doing everything himself except for just a wee bit of help from his two older girls
Made navy blue suits and rosy pink "toppers" for three of us when we were young so we would have new Easter outfits to wear to church
Spent years working two jobs so my mom could be at home with us
Try to teach us that math was fun. It was to him and I am so happy his "math" gene is present in my three children
Read directions and understand them...an ability we do not all share (here I am referring especially to my mom...that explains why my dad did the knitting and made some of our clothes)
Grow delicious vegetables

He did all of these things and much, much more. He did them quietly, without any fanfare. There were never any photos of him in the newspaper nor any long articles telling the world how much he did for his family. He did not need that. He had my mom and his girls and his world was complete.

Whenever I see any of my children exhibit a trait of my dad's, I am thrilled. I often think that if he could see what wonderful marriages my children have and the type of parents they have become I know how happy he would be for them. These gifts they also learned from him.

Whenever I see the similarities in my husband to my father, I realize how right he is for me, that he is the one for me. My dad taught me to appreciate a good man.

I only hope that others have their own Superman. My sisters and I had ours.

Around the World in How Many Days?

2008-06-13T23:39:38Z

Writing a post is one thing. Determining which Groups are the best fit for a particular topic is another. Both of these things I have come to feel fairly comfortable doing.

Now comes the tricky part.

What do I do about that Localism.com option? This is where I sometimes tend to hesitate. Is there anything posted that gives a little insight into what to check off? I realize that it will vary from post to post. I am just trying to get some generalizations.

When I go to Localism.com I do not find things I have sent to it. Well, I take that back. I have found some things there that I wrote back in November. Really, I have many more posts than just those three or four.

Sometimes I select General Information under Localism and other times I click on About a Region which then gives me the chance to finally select Lake Anna in Virginia.

If I cannot find my posts there is it because they are circumventing the globe taking their sweet old time before finally coming to rest in my neighborhood?

Or are they lost, never to be found?

Is it a big thing? I do not know if it matters or not. I just know that I recall reading lots of stuff about posting to Localism.com.

For Consumers (Posted to Localism.com)
General Information
About a Region (Region required)
Regional News and Events (Region required)
Market Reports (Region required)
Advertising a listing(s) (Region required)

Anyone that can give me some guidance will receive a big thank you from me...and lots of comments.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate " Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/