Dave Blog

Appraiser Problems?

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:55:09 -0500

Here in the Charlottesville, Virginia area we are starting to see a good response to the market. More traffic through open houses, more buyers calling for showing, plus more contracts. Whew....had me worried for a while.

However, a new problem is starting to present itself and I was wondering what the rest of the Active Rain community was seeing.

Some of our agents are starting to see really low appraisals coming in. Not close to the selling price, which we can handle, but way out of line $35,000 or more. Of couse the agents go back to the market information and can't figure out where the appriasers are coming up with their price. A few have even called and run into a wall. Comments like "depressed neighborhood" or "depressed community" "to many houses on the market to support the sale price" have been used.

Are you running into this? If you are how are you responding? How should we or can we use this information to help educate future seller when pricing?

Bank of America having a good day.

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:42:00 -0500

It looks like Bank of America is taking a different view of the economy. I hope that more good news is forthcoming and this will brighten your day a little. If you haven't seen the article I have supplied a link below. This is good information that we should be sharing with our customers and clients.

Bank of America Expects to Post Full-Year 2009 Profit (Update2)

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=email_en&refer=us&sid=aDwsP5FZWGXE

Market Beginning to Shift Up in Charlottesville

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:34:56 -0500

I don't know about the rest of Virginia, but the market here in Charlottesville seems to be picking up a little bit of steam. The number of contracts coming into my office has shown a surprising increase in February and March is showing promise.

Buyers seem to be getting off of the fence with the low interest rates and more sellers pricing their homes properly. In the Charlottesville, Virginia area now is the time for buyers to stop watching the national news and jump over that fence. With interest rates in the 4% range they should take the plunge.

It is definitely a buyers market.

Real Estate Rout May be Short Lived

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:42:04 -0500

I just wanted see if anyone else read this article on Barrons.com. The focal point was stated and I quote "This real-estate rout has been more painful than prior ones, but it may be shorter-lived. Indeed, there are early signs of recovery."

If you haven't seen this article it might make you feel better if you took at look at the Barrons.com web site. The entire article is over 6 pages and make a number of good observations. It is the July 14th edition of their web newsletter.

Here are a few points that caught my attention. "existing homes are showing tentative signs of increasing".......plunge in prices .....nearing an end" etc.

It also make comments concerning the market that the media has widely ignored.

Take a few minutes and look this article over and let me know what you think.

Wintergreen Mountain Resort Virginia - Rare Golf Front Home Site for Sale

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:38:05 -0500

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Wintergreen Mountain Resort Virginia - Outstanding Mountain Home for Sale

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:58:53 -0500

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Select Properties in Wintergreen Mountain Resort, VA in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:38:57 -0500

Sellect Properties available in Four Season Wintergreen Mountain Resort, Virginia

Golf Lovers - Build your dream home at the Devils Knob golf course

MLS: 441187
Price: $159000

29 E Catoctin Drive (CF29)
Wintergreen Resort, Va

One of the few golf front sites remaining in Wintergreen Mountain Resort. This one has 240' golf front frontage on the 17th hole of the famous Devils Knob course. It is also privately situated at the end of a cul-de-sac however offers easy access to all of Wintergreens wonderful facilities. Do not miss this chance to be golf front with fabulous course views. Comes with WPI-Wintergreen Right of Membership

A Mountain Lodge Home.

MLS: 440865
Price: 499,000

2009 Laurel Springs Drive
Wintergreen Mountain Village, VA 22967

Wonderful recently built (2004) 4 bed/3 bath mountain home situated on an elevated lot backing to the George Washington National Forest & Blue Ridge Parkway. Home offers 2 living areas, Gt Rm w/Stone Fireplace, hardwood floors, custom hickory cabinetry, Stainless Steel Appliances, Jenn-Air Convection/Bake stove, 2 large decks, 1 bed & attached bath on 2nd floor, 2beds, 1 w/Attached bath on 1st floor and one bed and full bath in Terrace Walk out level. The Price is BELOW TAX ASSESSMENT AND PRICED TO SELL TODAY! Dont miss this chance to own a great Wintergreen home for investment, vacation, rental, or, as is the case with the current owners, a full time home. Built by Master mennonite craftsman, solid construction - poured basement,50 year arch shingles, 4x6 ext framing, and Hardiplank siding. A GREAT BUY!

Best Buy for this 2bed/2 bath Condo

MLS: 440526
Price: 179,900

2220 Tanners Ridge Condos
Wintergreen Mountain Village , VA 22967

The lowest priced 2 bed /2 bath condo in Tanners Ridge. Clean as a new pin, 2 bed / 2 bath condo, recently repainted, new carpet, and sleeps six. Still time to get in some skiing,followed by a beautiful Spring and Summer with cool mountain breezes on the mountain. Not to be missed!

Dave Shockley, Managing Broker
Real Estate III - West Office
500 Faulconer Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-242-1769
Click To Email Me
The Charlottesville Area Real Estate Place
Click for Visual Tour
My Profile and Listings

Virginia Real Estate Markets

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:38:08 -0600

While I was looking for a little information for a training class for my agents I ran across an informational brochure on the VAR Virginia Association of REALTOR® web site. If you are located in Virginia you should take a look at this flyer. It is on the home page today on the lower left side. http://www.varealtor.com/

The title is 10 Things You should know about today's Virginia real estate markets. It makes some really great point. I actually took the time to download it and emailed it to all of my agents. It is a great piece to add to their presentation folders.

Take a look and let me know what you think.

By the way the market here in Charlottesville is showing steady signs of improvement.

Great Golf Front Home Site in Wintergreen Mountain Village, Virginia

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 10:03:03 -0600

Dave Shockley,
Managing Broker, Re lll - West Office
500 Faulconer Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-242-1769
Click To Email Me
Charlottesville Area Real Estate
About Me

29 E Catoctin Drive - A wonderful Golf Front 0.6 acre Home Site
A rare find - one of the few remaining golf front home sites in Wintergreen

View of 17th green at Devils Knob Golf Course

view of green

golf front view

This is one of the few remaining golf frontage sites in Wintergreen Mountain Village. This one has 240 ft frontage on the 17th green. At end of a cul-de-sac will give privacy, quiet, and great golf views. Also situated near all of Wintergreens facilities. Lot is 0.6 acre and includes WPI.

Wintergreen Drive past Nature Center to Left on Devils knob then left on to E Catoctin Drive. lot at end of street, at cul-de-sac.

0.6 acres
240 frontage on 17th hole of Devils Knob Golf Course
On cul-de-sac

A rare remaining golf frontage lot.
Near all of Wintergreen faciloities
Included WPI -Wintergreen Right of Membership

Property Address:
29 E Catoctin Drive
Wintergreen Mountain Village, VA 22967

MLS: 441187
Price: $159000

Spring Market is here.

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 07:15:06 -0600

Hello all.

Sorry I have been away so long. I have acquired new responsibilities that started the first of the year, and this has kept me busy almost every waking hour.

I am now the Managing Broker for a 70 agent office here in Charlottesville, Virginia. So my time is now my own any longer. However, I am still taking care of my personal past clients.

Last Sunday I was called by a past client that I helped find a home in 2001. They are now relocating to Ohio and wanted me to list there home. Of course I was more than happy to do so. After doing my research and preparing a market analysis on their home I schedule an appoint ment to make the presentation the next day.

On Monday after going over the market information and my marketing plan for their home we completed the listing agreement. I encouraged them to be very realistic about their price and they took my advice.

I went straight back to the office and entered the new listing in our MLS, and Prue rushed everything on to our web site and sent emails out to local agents about the new property. Of course we also used Active Rain to get the word out.

By Wednesday we had an offer, and by Thursday evening it was ratified. WOW I couldn't believe it went so quick, but after talking with a few of my agents they to have noticed more activity in our local market. Homes starting to sell. However, all agree that those homes that are selling the owners are being very realistic about pricing their homes.

The buyers are still out there and the interest rates are still at an all time low. We just need to stop all the pity parties and get back to work spreading the word to our buyers and sellers about the local market. NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY.

Just thought I would share my story, and hope that you will share your Spring Market Activity Report. Our Spring it seems is starting a little early.

Best Regards

Great Home for Sale in Ruckersville, Green County, Virginia

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:24:51 -0600

Real Estate III - West Office
Dave Shockley, Managing Broker
500 Faulconer Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-242-1769
Click To Email Me
The Charlottesville Area Real Estate Place
About Me

A Great Home situated on 1.4 acres, in Greene County, Virginia.
Don't miss this one! Call Dave 434 - 242 - 1769

Bright and airy Kitchen.

Living Room, lots of charm

View of great back yard, fenced and private.

Wonderful 3 bed / 2&1/2 bath home set on 1.4 acres in Ruckersfield, Greene County. Features large rooms, master suite/master with it's own sitting area, bath w/ garden tub and separate shower, eat-in kitchen, family room w/gas log fireplace, overlooking a private, fenced level back yard, surrounded by trees. Also there is 1696 unfinished sq ft in a walk-out basement just waiting to be finished! Rec Room, Media Room, your choice! That would be over 3900 fin sq ft in all! Come and see! You won't be disappointed!

2240 finsihed sq ft
1696 unfin sq ft walk-out basement
master suite w/master bath, and sitting area,
large rooms

on 1.4 acres, w/ fenced private back yard
lots of decking
eat in kitchen
gas log fire place

Property Address:
165 Doe Drive N
Ruckersville, VA 22968

MLS: 449349
Price: $349000

Great Home for Sale in Ruckersville, Green County, Virginia

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:22:13 -0600

Real Estate III - West Office
Dave Shockley, Managing Broker
500 Faulconer Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-242-1769
Click To Email Me
The Charlottesville Area Real Estate Place
About Me

A Great Home situated on 1.4 acres, in Greene County, Virginia.
Don't miss this one! Call Dave 434 - 242 - 1769

Bright and airy Kitchen.

Living Room, lots of charm

View of great back yard, fenced and private.

2240 finsihed sq ft
1696 unfin sq ft walk-out basement
master suite w/master bath, and sitting area,
large rooms

on 1.4 acres, w/ fenced private back yard
lots of decking
eat in kitchen
gas log fire place

Property Address:
165 Doe Drive N
Ruckersville, VA 22968

MLS: 449349
Price: $349000

Priced to sell TODAY! A beautiful home in Wintergreen Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:02:42 -0600

Real Estate III
Dave & Prue Shockley
500 Faulconer Drive
Charlottesville,
434-242-1769
Click To Email Me
Charlottesville Area Real Estate
VISUAL TOUR CLICK HERE
About Me

Tremendous Value in Wintergreen Resort - 4 bedroom 3 bath mountain home.
PRICED TO SELL TO-DAY! Now priced under tax assessment & at $198.00 sq ft.

What a deal! In Wintergreen a new (2004), 4 bed/3 bath MOUNTAIN HOME priced BELOW TAX ASSESSMENT & at only 198.00Sq ft! PLUS also take off WPI which is a $16,000 value! Unbelievable price in Wintergreen! Plus it's a really great home for investment, rentals, vacation or full time enjoyment!

Wintergreen Gate on Wintergreen Drive to R on Laurel Springs Drive, Home on left.

Superior construction- 4x6 ext walls, 50 yr shingles, hardiplank, poured concrete basement and so much more!
2 living areas - Gt Rm w/ Stone Fireplace & Terrace level entertainment Rm with bedroom and full bath
Hickory cabinetry, Hardwood Floors throughout, Upgraded Stainless Steel Appliances, Jenn-Air convection Oven,
2 large decks and screened porch

Backs to George Washington National Forest, Blue Ridge Pkwy
Comes with WPI -Wintergreen Right of Membership- a $16,000 value
Easy access to all of Wintergreen Resort facilities and activities
COME AND SEE !

Property Address:
2009 Laurel Springs Drive
Wintergreen Mountain Resort, VA 22967

MLS: 440865
Price: $499000

Wintergreen Mountain Resort Virginia - Outstanding Mountain Home for Sale

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:22:24 -0600

Real Estate III
Dave Shockley
500 Faulconer Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-242-1769
Click To Email Me
Charlottesville Area Real Estate
VISUAL TOUR CLICK HERE
About Me

Wintergreen Mountain Resort, Virginia - Outstanding Mountain Home for Sale
Great price ($$ per Fin Sq FT) on the mountain! Call Dave 434-242-1769

Come home to the mountains! Here is a great chance to buy that full time, rental, investment, or vacation home in Wintergreen Resort, the East Coasts Premier Four Season Blue Ridge Mountain Resort.

Charlottesville 250w to 151 Nellysford, R on Beech Groove Rd, into Wintergreen Dr,to L on Laurel Springs Dr.

2 living areas
Gt Rm w/Stone Fireplace
Entertainment Rm on Terrace level
Hardwood Floors/Ceramic Tiles Throughout

Wonderful workmanship by Master Craftsman
Backs to George Washington Nat Forest
Includes WPI - Wintergreen Right of Membership
Wintergreen's Lodge Hotel, shops, restaurants, and facilities

Property Address:
2009 Laurel Springs Drive
Wintergreen Mountain Resort, VA 22967

MLS: 440865
Price: $499000

Ski Season is here! A selection of Properties in Wintergreen Resort, Virginia

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:12:27 -0600

Wintergreen Mountain Resort, Virginia - A Selection of Available Properties

A 2 bed/2 bath Condo in Tanners Ridge

MLS: 440526
Price: $179,000

2220 Tanners Ridge
Wintergreen Mountain Resort, Va

Lowest priced 2 bed/2 bath Condo in Tanner Ridge! Priced to sell now! Newlypainted, new water heater and clean as a new pin. Move in ready! Come and enjoy the skiing with your own Condo in Wintergreen.

Outstanding Mountain Lodge Home

MLS: 440865
Price: $515,000

2009 Laurel Springs Drive
Wintergreen Mountain Village, VA 22967

Best value on the mountain! 3 year old, 4 bed/3bath, open plan lodge home ready for you to enjoy! Hickory cabinetry, Hardwood floors, Stone Fireplace in Great Rm, Stainless Appliances, Jenn-Air Convection Oven, huge Rec Room area, 2 large decks and landscaped in Evergreens. Reduced $90,000 for quick sale. Won't last at this price! Includes WPI - Wintergreen Right of Membership.

Build your own golf front home !

MLS: 441187
Price: $159,000

29 E Catoctin Drive
Wintergreen Mountain Village , VA 22967

One of the last remaining golf front lots in Wintergreen. 240' frontage on the famous Devils Knob 17th green on the mountain! Privacy at the end of a cul-de-sac, but yet easy access to all of Wintergreens activities. Build your dream home!

Real Estate III
Dave Shockley
500 Faulconer Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-242-1769
Click To Email Me
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
About Me

Wintergreen Mountain Resort Virginia - Outstanding Mountain Home for Sale

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:37:01 -0600

Real Estate III
David Shockley
500 Faulconer Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-242-1769
Click To Email Me
The harlottesville Area Real Estate Place
VISUAL TOUR CLICK HERE
About Me

Wintergreen Mountain Resort, Virginia - Outstanding Mountain Home for Sale
Temps have fallen, the Snow has Fallen! The price has Really Fallen! $519,000

Kitchen, Hickory Cabinets, Jenn-air Convection Bake Oven, SSt Appli

Great Room with Stone Fireplace, soaring ceilings, hardwood floors and an open sunny floor plan

Huge Rec Room Area

Outstanding 4 bed/3bath, mtn home, situated on a SOUTH FACING mtn, popular Open Plan design, Great Rm w/ Stone Fireplace, huge 2nd living area, custom Hickory cabinetry, hardwood floors, Stainless Appli, 2 decks and so much more..... come and see- you wont be sorry!

From Charlottesville, 250 W, Ron 151 to Nellysford, R on Beech Groove Rd to Wintergreen Gated Entrance, continue on Wintergreen Dr R on Laurel Springs, Home near end on left!

Wintergreen Mountain Resort
Privacy and Relaxation
Backs to George Washington National Forest
And the Blue Ridge Parkway

Comes with WPI -Wintergreen Right of Membership!
Skiing, Golf, Tennis, Pools, Horse riding, Trails,
A full service Spa, Workout Center, Snowboarding, Tubing,
Wintergreen's Lodge Hotel, Shops and Restaurants!

Property Address:
2009 Laurel Springs Drive
Wintergreen Mountain Resort, VA 22967

MLS: 440865
Price: $519000

Good News on the Horizon?

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:22:05 -0600

WOW!!!! I can't believe it has been a couple of weeks since I have had an opportunity to get back to Active Rain. The good news is that over the past few weeks in the Charlottesville, Virginia area interest in real estate has been picking up. This is just a little unusual considering the season that we are now in.

I have had conversations with a number of agents in the area, and other brokers. Potential buyers are starting to look again. Last week I had more showing appointments than I had almost the entire month of November. Next week is looking good also.

Maybe its the interest rates or maybe buyers are starting to ignore all of the doom & gloom they hear on the news. They are starting to realize real estate is a local market and what is happening in other parts of the country doesn't necessarily impact our area. No matter what it is it's good news for me in my corner of the world.

Let me know whats happening in your neck of the woods.

Charlottesville, Virginia Grand Illumination

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:41:45 -0600

Charlottesville, Virginia Grand Illumination

If you are planning to visit Charlottesville, Virginia over the Thanksgiving Holiday don't miss the "Grand Illumination".

This Charlottesville tradition is scheduled for Friday, November 23^rd.

Activities begin at 4:00pm with music. Then around 5:15pm there will be Candlelit Caroling at the City Hall Plaza on the East End.

At 6:00pm will be the Grand Illumination at Central Place. Other activities will include face painting, ornament making, hot apple cider, chestnut roasting, snow for the kids and more.

This is a great tradition that everyone can enjoy so bring the entire family.

Have a safe Thanksgiving.

Pod Casting - Does it really work?

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:41:23 -0600

I may be behind the times, but over the past 6 months I have seen more information concerning Pod Casting. I have read a little on it, but admit that I am very lacking in my knowledge of this concept. There is a lot of information out there on how to get started, but I would really like to hear from someone out there that is using this successfully and not trying to sell me something.

In my area Charlottesville, Virginia I do not personally know anyone that is working with this technology. Maybe there is and it works so well that the users want to keep it secret.

So if you have been using Pod Casting please cast a little light on the subject for me. I would love to hear a few success stories with specifics on how many new clients you have acquired using this method.

Thank you for your help.

Lost Child Story With Happy Ending from Wintergreen, Virginia

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:17:57 -0600

As most of you know I live in a mountain community called Wintergreen located in Central Virginia just west of Charlottesville, Virginia.

This past Saturday evening a young boy (8 years old) was visiting the resort with his parents. While taking a hike with his parents. Near the end of the walk as they were getting close to their rental cottage he stated that he was going to run ahead a little ways. When his parents arrived just a short while later he was nowhere to be found.

Of course after walking up and down the trail calling his name for a while his parents called the resort police, and they called the rescue squad. By this time it was getting dark and turning cold again. (We had an inch of snow on Friday night).

The police and rescue squad sent their people out on the trail, but by 6:30 or so there was still no results. By this time word was getting out in the area and other rescue squads as well as the local state police and sheriffs departments had arrived. By 7:00am neighbors were turning out to help in the search, a helicopter was also searching the area with a spotlight, but due to foliage still on the trees they could not see much.

By 8:00 we probably had close to 75 or 100 people helping. The sheriff radioed the leaders of the groups to return to the command center and as new volunteers arrive a new grid search was started. By 9:00 we had over 200 volunteers searching the woods as well as a blood hound that was brought in from out of the area.

To make a long story short Sam was found around 11:00 cold and frightened, but unharmed. When we received the radio call that he had been found you could hear cheers and shouts all up and down the mountain as some of the search parties by this time were as much as a half mile from where he was last seen. This area is very rough and rocky with waterfalls, cliffs and ledges where he could have fallen, and we were all fearing the worst.

It was just amazing to see how the community turned out in this remote area. It took many of us over an hour to hike back to the command center to turn in our lights and sign back in. It was dark, wet, cold and dangerous hiking through the woods, but not one complaint was heard. Everyone went home tired and cold, but extremely happy. What a great place to live.

Don't you just love stories with happy endings?

Midnight Visit from Young Bear Cub - Photos

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:59:16 -0600

For those of you that have been enjoying my nature & bear photos here are a couple of new ones. Most of you are aware that we live in a community called Wintergreen in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but for those new to the blog this development is about 40 minutes west of Charlottesville, Virginia.

This past Monday night we heard a noise on our deck around midnight. Of course I got up to investigate. We alway keep a camera handy just in case.

First of couse I turned on the deck lights and looked out the window and spotted this cub just sitting on the deck. Our bird feeders are always taken in early so there wa no food out there. Next I looked out of all the other windows to make sure mama bear was no where to be seen. Then I carefully opened the door so I could get a photo. I took the first one and was concentrating my attention through the view finder of my camera when this cub started to walk in the door just like he belonged there. Of course I immediately shoved the sliding door shut making a loud noise and off he ran.

Prue was upset that I had frightened him (or her). This cub looked like it weighed about 50 to 60 lbs, but I knew that a 200 to 300 lbs mama was somewhere close by.

We hope you enjoy.

Finally caught up with Papa Bear - Photo included

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:46:01 -0500

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.

Is the News Media hurting the real estate industry in your area?

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:09:29 -0500

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 areas never made it up the hill, and they are still struggling today.

I have been in touch with a number of mortgage companies in our area, and have spoken with a good number of REALTORS®. Most have the same questions. What is everyone waiting for? Interest rates are still the best they have ever been, and the inventory of homes is at an all time high due to all the new construction. Sellers are offering incentives that have not been available for over 10 years.

True, home prices over the past 10 years have been rising in some cases to ridiculous highs. Granted there have been some unethical mortgage practices taking place. However, prices now have fallen in line with true market values, and the local mortgage companies I have spoken with tell me that they have money to loan at great rates even if your credit scores are not at an all time high.

Do you feel that the news has scared a lot of buyers? I was even told the other day by another agent that they felt it was politics as usual. They stated that the news was going to remain bad until after the election. Well I am not sure I believe there is a conspiracy, but the media does have a tendency to go into over drive when there is any type of negative news.

I just had a listing (on the market for 8 weeks) in the $350,000 to $400,000 range go under contract. Now 8 weeks is not a lot of time, however the owners still had the 2004-2005 mind set when things were selling in days. They were extremely concerned because of what they were hearing on the news every night until the contract came in.

What do you think? How has news affected your part of the country? Is there any good news out there? I happen to think there is but there isn't an outlet for that news. Come on tell me something good.

What is your most frightening Halloween memory?

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 10:38:27 -0500

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 the walk was around 18 so he was considered a grown up to most of us children. What we did not know was that he and his friends had planned a little surprise for us. As darkness fell we started into the entrance of the cemetery, and our guide was laying it on thick. We were all carrying candles so that it was difficult to see very far in front except for the light from the flashlight carried by the leader.

He was giving us a tour and making up stories along the way as to how a few of the current residents had met their horrible deaths. His plan all along was to have his helpers hidden behind some of the larger monuments and jump out at the specified time. As we approached the first scheduled "BOO" we noticed that our leader was at a loss. Nothing happened at the first or the second monuments. We could tell that he was starting to get a little nervous, but we thought he himself was getting into the mood.

His scary ghost walk was turning into a non event.....nothing was really that scary except for being in a cemetery in the dark. Then he decided to head back after the third tombstone was passed with no frightening event. He was starting to head back to the parking lot when he froze. To his left he discovered a fresh pile of what looked like dirt and covered with artificial carpet and leaves. He couldn't let this unexpected finding pass without trying to solve his ghost walk disappointment. Immediately he started making up a story about the fresh grave and who was to be placed in it, when a shadowy figure stumbled out from behind pile of dirt and a dirty hand stretched out from under the carpet trying to grab his foot. Needless to say our leader followed by 10 or 12 extremely frightened 8 to 10 year olds raced through the entrance to the parking lot.

As we raced through the gate car lights came on from about 6 cars and all of our parents were standing there waiting for us. After a few minute of getting everyone calmed down the story came out. The adults had already stepped in and without letting the teenager leading the group know had planned the entire thing. What made it so real was that the leader was so convincing, and the reason for that was that he was caught unaware. From that day until he left for college he couldn't look any of us kids straight in the eye without us trying not to laugh.

Ok there is mine now it is your turn.

Charlottesville, Virginia has a great selection in the $200,000 to $250,000

Dave Shockley Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate (Real Estate III) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:35:58 -0500

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 homes that you could consider.

If you have other specifics that you would like researched visit our web site at www.charlottesvillerealestatebyDave.com and run the search yourself.