Finally caught up with Papa Bear - Photo included - 10/30/07 01:46 PM
As most of you that have read my blog I have two post that mention the wildlife that my wife and I enjoy here in Wintergreen, Virginia.  We live at about 2800 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  In two earlier post I presented Mama bear and later her twins.  Finally I captured Papa bear.  Not a great photo, but he was not very cooperative.  He was also a little aggressive which made me very cautious.  I hope you enjoy. 
Maybe one day I will catch him in the daylight.
… (12 comments)

Is the News Media hurting the real estate industry in your area? - 10/29/07 11:09 AM
Is the Media hurting the real estate industry more than it should?
When I first started in real estate here in Charlottesville, Virginia one of the first seminars I attended emphasized the point of location, location, location.  I feel this rule is still true.  Even in our current market it is all about location or locality.
Are some areas of the country hit harder than others?  Of course they are.  That has always been the case.  As the market here in the Charlottesville area began to sky rocket (around 1999) other areas of the country were still fighting an up hill battle.  Some … (11 comments)

What is your most frightening Halloween memory? - 10/28/07 10:38 AM
Hey in the spirit of Halloween I thought maybe a few of you would like to share your childhoods most frightening or most exciting memory.
I will get things started.  I grew up in the small town of Bluefield, West Virginia.  When I was around 8 years old our church was planning a halloween ghost walk for the youth of our church.  It was to start in our church parking lot at dark, and was to be led by one of the older teens that volunteered to help.
As it happens with most country churches there was a cemetery very close by.  The teenager leading … (4 comments)

Charlottesville, Virginia has a great selection in the $200,000 to $250,000 - 10/26/07 02:35 PM
In this report for Charlottesville, Virginia & Albemarle County real estate I increased the range just a little.  The selection here is GREAT for anyone looking for a home in this range.
Listing Price          # of Listings
$200,000 - $250,000       173
As I mentioned in the last report.  The inventory is great here.  Almost 8% of these homes are new construction.
I realize that there is more to consider than the price range.  You may have some very specific needs.  The number of bedrooms, master on the first floor, garage and close to town.  Using this criteria we could narrow the search down to around 15 … (1 comments)

Charlottesville, Virginia Real Estate $150,000 to $200,000 Range now available - 10/26/07 01:27 PM
A few years ago this would have been a dream for home buyers in Charlottesville or Albemarle County.  If there was a property under $200,000 it would only be on the market for a few days.
If you are in the market for a home in the Charlottesville, Virginia Area, and looking for a home in the $150,000 to $200,000 range you may be interested in the figures below.
Below are the statistics for the Charlottesville, Virginia Real Estate Market.  The information for this report was compiled from information gathered at 11:45am today October 25, 2007.
The breakdown is as follows.
Listing Price Rante     # … (2 comments)

Home Buyers Seminar - Lesson 7 - types of Homes Continued. - 10/26/07 12:08 PM
Home Buyers Seminar - Lesson 7 - Types of Homes Continued
In this lesson we will discuss Condominiums.  I guess the easiest way to understand the concept of condominium ownership is to visualize it as an apartment that you are not paying rent on, but you own it.  In the Charlottesville, Virginia area there has been a surge where developers have converted apartments complexes to condominiums.
With a condominium your ownership extends inward from your interior wall, ceilings and floors.  In additions you are also co-owners in the exterior structure as well as any amenities and common areas for example; parking lot, hallways, … (0 comments)

Five Reasons to Be a First Time Buyer in the Charlottesville, Virginia Area. - 10/26/07 11:26 AM
I usually do not cut and paste information for my Blog.  However, this came out recently from the CEO of our association.  I called and ask permission to use this just as it is.  There is also a link to the news story that was aired recently on one of our local news channel.  I feel this puts a better light on our local market.
There are probably other stories outside of the Charlottesville, Virginia area that maybe you would like to share.
Five Reasons to Be a First Time Buyer
By Dave Phillips - CEO - Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors®
If you are … (0 comments)

Home Buyers Seminar Lesson 6 - Types of Homes Continued - 10/24/07 12:43 PM
Home Buyers Seminar Lesson 6 - Types of Homes - Continued
Next on the list of types of homes are townhouses.
Town houses often make an excellent "middle ground" between a detached single family property and a condominium (to be discussed in the next lesson) because they may offer attributes of both.
The basic description of a townhouse is a home that is attached to one or more other houses.  However, it does sit on a parcel of land that you also own.  Townhouses can range from a unit that only shares a common wall with one other property or duplex to triplexes all … (0 comments)

Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage Photo Update #4 - 10/22/07 11:21 AM
Wow the leaves are really starting to turn quickly.  If you are planning to take a drive on the parkway I would do it soon.  This coming weekend if the weather is clear would be a great opportunity to visit the Parkway.  If this is the first time to visit this blog.  The photos below were taken over this past weekend in between mile marker 1 & 14 on the Blue Ridge Parkway west of Charlottesville, Virginia and also a few from Wintergreen Resort.  I hope you enjoy this addition to the collection.
This first  photo is at the top of Afton … (8 comments)

The Art of Taking a Break!!!! Does anyone remember how that works? - 10/17/07 05:00 PM
On my way into work this morning (I have a 40 minute commute) from Wintergreen to Charlottesville, Virginia) I remembered why I liked to be on the road.  Way back when - anytime I was driving I was taking a break from the busy day.  By the way almost all of my adult life my jobs required that I be in my car a lot.  I would either listen to music and sort of relax or I would listen to a motivational tape to get energized.  It was my time to get away from work even if it was only for 15 … (13 comments)

Home Buyers Seminar - Lesson 5 - 10/15/07 12:50 PM
Home Buyers Seminar Lesson 5 - Types of Homes
What type of home are you going to be looking for?  In this session we will be looking at a few different types.
Single Family Homes - These are homes that stand alone & have a yard around them.
Townhouses - These are attached homes that share a common wall with one or more other unit & may or may not have a yard.
Condominiums - This term does not necessarily describe a property type.  It could be an apartment style, town home, or a high rise.  It has more to do with what you own … (0 comments)

Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage Update #3 - 10/12/07 10:45 AM
Below are a few photos that were taken on the Blue Ridge Parkway west of Charlottsville, Virginia.  These new photos were take on Thursday and Friday of this week.  The weather is still great and the leaves are at about 15 to 20 percent in some of the higher elevations.  I hope these pictures will entice you to take a drive and enjoy this beautiful park.


… (4 comments)

Home Buyers Seminar - Lesson 4 Your Budget - 10/09/07 02:24 PM
Home Buyers Seminar - Lesson 4 - Your Budget
I know most of us hate to even think about a budget well maybe that is a little strong we think about it but never do anything about it.
If you don't have a budget you will never get a good grasp of what you could be saving.  Not knowing where the money you earn is going can make the "American Dream" of owning a home seem impossible.  So get with it.  Set your priorities and go for it.  Do you want that home or not.  You decide.  Hopefully some of this information will … (2 comments)

Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage Update #2 - 10/08/07 01:40 PM
Fall Foliage Update for October, 8, 2007 
Here are a few more photos that were taken Sunday and this morning.  The leaves are probably at 10 to 15 percent up in the mountains, but down in Charlotesville (in the valley) changes are a little slower.
I would recommend not waiting to long to take that drive on the parkway.  If the weather holds this coming weekend should be great.  By the way these photos were taken on the Blue Ridge Parkway west of Charlottesville, Virginia between mile markers 1 & 14.
This photo was taken just behind my home.  About a 5 or 10 … (0 comments)

Home Buyers Seminar - Lesson #3 - 10/08/07 01:20 PM
Home Buyers Seminar - Lesson #3 Money Saving Tips cont.
We have already taken a general look and mentioned some of the big ones, but in this lesson we are going to recommend that you take a close look at a few specific items.  These are perhaps smaller items that will add up over the months.
FOOD - Let's face it this is something that we just can't do without.  We can spend a few dollars on this item every day or large chunks 2 or 3 times a month.  So even cutting back just $20 a week on your purchases can add … (2 comments)

Night time visitors in Wintergreen, Virginia here is photo of mama bear as I promised - 10/07/07 10:07 PM
As I promised here is mama bear that belongs to the two cubs I posted a few days ago.  She was on her way down off of our deck when I convenced her to pose for a portrait.  The cubs had already climbed down off of the deck.  I still need a photo of the papa bear, but he has not been cooperative.
Kids don't do this at home.  Wild animals are dangerous and unpredictable.
 
… (2 comments)

Night time visitors bear cubs in Wintergreen, Virginia - Photo - 10/05/07 10:38 AM
Here is a little something for you nature lovers.  These twins have been visitng our deck with their mother and I finally got a photo.  We try to avoid this type of visit by taking in the bird feeders at night.  However, on this night we were a little late taking everything in.  They do look like they are enjoying the flower also.
By the way I guess you would like to know where this picture was taken.  Prue and I live in a development called Wintergreen up on the Blue Ridge mountain close to Charlottesville, Virginia.  If you are ever traveling … (6 comments)

Home Buyers Seminar - Lesson 2 - 10/05/07 10:14 AM
Here are a few general tips on saving money.
You need to know the difference between NEEDS and WANTS.  Don't make the mistake of confusing the two.  This can save you a lot of money over the next few years.  Needs are easily identified.  Those would be any items needed to sustain; food, shelter, clothing (within limits) and transportation.
Wants can be those things that possibly enhance or improve your family life, but you could actually survive without.  For example; a need is an automobile for transportation to work, a $50,000 luxury four wheel drive vehicle is a want.  However, some people don't … (0 comments)

Home Buyers Seminar - Lesson 1 - 10/05/07 07:46 AM
If you are thinking about purchasing a home this series of short lessons will provide you with some important advice.  Don't make the mistake of starting the process without taking the time to prepare.  It will make your task much easier.
One of your first steps should be to run a Credit Report on yourself to be certain that there are no problems in your credit history.  There are web sites available to obtain a free credit report, and they are easily found on the internet.
Next do an analysis of your current financial situation.  In other words where is your money coming … (4 comments)

Closely Guarded Secret Crozet, Virginia Continued - 10/04/07 04:10 PM
 "This years festival has come and gone, but I will put out an update as we get closer to the next one"
 Closely Guarded Secret (Crozet, Virginia) Continued
In one of my blogs a few weeks ago I discussed the small community west of Charlottesville, Virginia named Crozet.  I mentioned also that there was a Crafts and Arts festival each year.  Below is more information for those that would like to explore this local community and at the same time enjoy this annual Festival.
The Festival is on the weekend of October 13th & 14th at Claudius Crozet Park, in Crozet, Virginia of course.
On … (2 comments)

Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage Update! - 10/04/07 03:51 PM
Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage Update!!!!!!
It's that time of the year again.  Autumn or Fall if you prefer.  So I thought I would give you an update on the colors on the Parkway.  You may ask why I would consider myself an expert on this.  Here is your answer.  I drive the Blue Ridge Parkway everyday on the way to work.  I get on at mile marker 14 and exit 14 miles later on Afton Mountain where rout 250 and Interstate 64 intersect.
Prue and I are fortunate enough to enjoy this beautiful drive everyday on our way into Charlottesville, Virginia.  … (0 comments)

"What mortgage meltdown"? - 10/01/07 11:04 AM
I read the article below last week and it really bothered me.  I am copying part of the article just to see what kind of response it would have on other readers.
"Mortgage Industry News
More to mortgage industry than sub-prime; Daily Herald
The term "mortgage meltdown" has become so commonplace -- on TV, in headlines and even casual conversations -- that you might assume that this is a tough time to get a mortgage.
But the reality is starkly different: Mortgage money is plentiful, the majority of mortgage products remain relatively unaffected by troubles in the sub-prime segment, and interest rates for 30-year … (0 comments)

 
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Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate

Waynesboro, VA

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Independent Contractor

Address: Stuarts Draft, VA, 24477

Cell Phone: (434) 242-1769

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I specialize in all Charlottesville and Central Virginia Real Estate, particularly Charlottesville & surrounding counties, & Wintergreen Resort Properties. Get great free widgets at Widgetbox!


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