Nannette Saunders' Lynchburg MLS Area Real Estate Blog

Happy Birthday Semper Fi!

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:26:27 -0600

When my oldest told me he was joining the United States Marines shortly after September 11, I admit I was scared to death. A year later my youngest did the same thing.

Both of them have served our country and I could not be more proud. The freedom we have in this country takes on a different meaning for me since they have become Marines. The sacrifices that our armed forces make along with their families is great.

From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.

Today marks the anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corp. Marines have fought in every major conflict on our nations history.

As Marines around the world celebrate the birthday of the Marine Corp today, please take a moment to think of them. If you know a Marine whether they are still serving or long retired please give them my thanks and please consider including the men and women in our armed forces in your prayers today.

If you are a marine reading this post, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your sacrifice may not always be acknowledged but I for one am dang proud of you and appreciate what you do for our freedom.

Happy Birthday, USMC. Semper Fi.

867 Hanging Rock Road Monroe Va 24574

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:34:51 -0500

I have a wonderful seller who has a fabulous house on Tobacco Mountain in Amherst Va. He wanted to show off all the beautiful pictures he had accumulated over the years that he lived there.

In order to do that I created a Posterous site exclusively for his home for sale in Monroe Va, Amherst County. How perfect is that? He can upload via email as many pictures as he wants.

Posterous offers an very easy platform to post anything you want. Check out 867 Hanging Rock Road Monroe Va

867 Hanging Rock Road Elon Va 24574

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:00:58 -0500

Nannette Saunders | RE/MAX 1st Olympic | 434546308

867 Hanging Rock Road, Elon, VA

Mountain Views on Top of Tobacco Mountain

3BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $349,500

Year Built	2001
Sq Footage	1,620
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	31 acres
HOA/Maint	$17 per month

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- High/Vaulted ceiling
- Walk-in closet	- Office/Den	- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven	- Microwave
- Attic	- Basement	- Laundry area - inside

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Mountain View

- Secluded Lot

- Central Vacuum System

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front View

Contact info:

Nannette Saunders

RE/MAX 1st Olympic

434546308

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Sep 21, 2009, 10:39pm PDT

867 Hanging Rock Road Elon Va 24574

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:32:04 -0500


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Click to View Show
Details		Contact Info
			Nannette Saunders Dir 4345463078 Email Other Shows
Property Amenities
- Range/Oven - Full Refrigerator - Microwave - Central Vacuum - Dishwasher - Satellite - Kitchen Island - Vaulted Ceilings - Basement	- Attic - Patio - Deck - Grass Lawn - Yard - Secluded Setting - Central A/C - Central Heat - Walk-in closet	- Family room - Living room - Bonus/rec room - Office/den - Laundry area - inside - 2 Bay Garage - Mountain Views - Screened Porch

Great Places to Shop In Lynchburg

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 07:48:06 -0500

We have had a lot of growing going on in Lynchburg MLS area in Va the past few years. New shopping plazas and malls are popping up all over.

There is a proposed 200 acre shopping mall under construction off Lakeside Drive and also an outdoor mall in Campbell County. This will add to the wealth of shopping choices we already have.

Here is a great list of shopping venues in Lynchburg Va.

Stuff To Do In Lynchburg Va

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:49:47 -0500

Always looking for something to do in Lynchburg Va? Here you go and it is perfect for the entire family and Free! Stop by the Day at the Point held Oct 10, 2009 at the historic Point of Honor. Click here for more information about Day at the Point.

Is It Time For You To Start Anew??

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:46:37 -0500

I think this post that is by my good friend Clint Miller is a perfect example of why you would want to attend an RE BarCamp, specifically the one being held in Lynchburg Va on October 8, 2009.

Via Clint Miller (Real Estate Client Referrals, LLC):

Anyone with any form of connective brain tissue has seen that the way real estate used to be is over. “Times”, as they say, they are a-changin’.

Correction: Times have changed!!

And, if you have any hope of moving forward and being a viable part of this ‘new’ version of real estate, then it is time to reinvent yourself.

Sure, you can cut expenses in order to help survive. But, cutting expenses wont generate more leads. It surely wont help you attract the right agents to your team or brokerage. And, it definitly wont help you or your existing agents be more productive in the future.

So, in this brave new world of existing agents trying to figure out how to survive, less people buying homes, and damage control happening at just about every level, you must figure out a way to generate more leads, become more productive, and attract the right people to help you along your journey. Without these three key pieces of being successful, you will ultimately fail regardless of how thin you shave your budget.

With that in mind, there are several things you can consider in the process of re-inventing yourself or your brokerage to make it stronger in the future:

1.    Office size – In this world of wireless internet at just about every corner store and bistro that has a coffee maker, the size of your office really isnt that important. Most agents are mobile anyway. There is really no need for the huge lavish offices that agents have maintained in the past. Sure, you might be committed to a lease, but have you thought about what you are going to do when that lease runs out?

2.    The average age in your office – Take a good look around. If you are surrounded by a bunch of people that grew up watching “Leave it to Beaver”, you might be in trouble. The real key to your success would be in being able to pull off a balancing act worthy of a spotlight and a Master of Ceremonies: How do you keep your seasoned professionals and top producers successful while simultaniously attracting the younger agents you will need for your future success?

3.    Speaking of “Top Producers” – Top producers are usually the ones that are more resistant to change than others. (Why fix what has worked so well in the past, right?) The key to that question is this: IN THE PAST! Just because it worked well 10 years ago doesn’t mean it will work well in 10 years. 10 years ago accessing the internet with a phone was Star Trek-esque. Now it is so common-place that we have Facebook and Twitter apps for our smartphones. Who knows… in 10 years we will probably be able to pull up the internet in a holographic form right in front of us at any given point in time. Give your top producers a reason to change and help them make that transition as positive as possible. Help them get started in social media. Show them the advantages to expanding their sphere. After all, the future holds good things…if youre prepared for it.

4.    Where to find younger agents – Simple: Social Media! What is your plan for using social media? Do you have a plan for your social media marketing? If not, you should. And, part of that plan should be using social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to help you attract those younger agents that you need…that and expanding your sphere and getting more clients.

5.    Make it all work together – Make sure your website is fully functional, optimized (including your social media outlets), and set up to track your internet inquiries. Doing this right will also help you with your office space issues as you will need less and less space to get your job done.

6.    Online follow-up – Speaking of online inquiries, you absolutely have to have a system in place for following up with your internet-generated leads. NAR says that about 50% of all online inquiries are not answered. 50%!! That is business that you are just letting go of……Can you afford to do that?? Make it a goal to follow up on your internet leads 100%. If you can’t do that, perhaps it would be best for you to hire a virtual assistant to help you reach that goal. Because, if you cant follow up on your internet leads, they will find someone that will. How much money have you left on the table??

Im not going to sugar coat this point – Some of these are going to require an investment. Whether that be monetary or mental, you must be willing to invest in yourself and your business if you want to survive in the future. Either way, this investment should be viewed as such, not just an “expense”. If you truly want to be a player in the future game of real estate, you must have these things handled. And, you best get on it quick before someone else hungrier than you passes you by…

If you would like information on Real Estate Client Referrals, please give Clint a call at 800-977-7058. Or, feel free to follow him on Twitter.

316 Harrison Street Lynchburg Va 24504

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:46:52 -0500

Nannette Saunders | RE/MAX 1st Olympic | 434546308

316 Harrison Street, Lynchburg, VA

Victorian Bargain

5BR/4BA Single Family House

offered at $139,900

Year Built	1887
Sq Footage	4,249
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	4 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	0.18 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

This is a combination Italianate, Gothic and Eastlake Victorian styles. Built around 1887 by architect R.C. Burkholder, the house was owned by Charles W. Scott, founder of an early Lynchburg telephone company. Note the cast iron porch. Some of the upgrading has already been done. If you love a bargain the rush right over to this beautiful estate. Hard to find this quality for this price. All five fireplaces have the original mantles and all tiles. The owner is ready to deal.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

• Central A/C	• Central heat	• Fireplace
• Hardwood floor	• Tile floor	• Family room
• Living room	• Bonus/Rec room	• Office/Den
• Dining room	• Dishwasher	• Refrigerator
• Stove/Oven	• Attic	• Basement
• Laundry area - inside	• Balcony, Deck, or Patio	• Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front View

Contact info:

Nannette Saunders

RE/MAX 1st Olympic

434546308

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jul 24, 2009, 4:34am PDT

Downtown Lynchburg Dogwoods in the Spring

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:35:16 -0500

I love it as the weather gets warmer the downtown area of Lynchburg Va comes to life with people and the colors of the season. There has been so many local businesses and residents of the historical district that have spent a lot of money to breathe life into the area.

71 Crestview Rustburg Va 24588

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:58:52 -0500

Nannette Saunders | RE/MAX 1st Olympic | 434-546-3078

71 Crestview, Rustburg, VA

Brookville Schools!

3BR/1.5BA Single Family House

offered at $129,900

Year Built	1966
Sq Footage	1,739
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2
Lot Size	.45 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

If you have been waiting for a bargain in a great neighborhood than you must see this three bedroom stunner that sits on a quiet street and is bordered by flowers and mature landscaping. If you want a home that reflects a lot of care and pride come see this traditional brick showplace. You will enjoy the upgraded kitchen with a wonderful eat in breakfast nook and fabulous great room with lots of space for your family evenings together. You can`t afford to pass this one up. Seller is ready to sell! Let`s make a deal FAST. New gutters and roof installed 2002. New septic installed 2001. New heatpump installed in 2008 with transferable warranty. I have more pictures just go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/brokersaunders/sets/72157620028003707/ or call me or email me or text me & I can send you more.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Family room	Living room
Breakfast nook	Dishwasher	Refrigerator
Stove/Oven	Attic	Basement
Laundry area - inside	Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Kitchen	Front View
Back Yard	Breakfast Nook
Family Room	Livingroom

Contact info:

Nannette Saunders

RE/MAX 1st Olympic

434-546-3078

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jun 28, 2009, 1:53pm PDT

Independence Day Celebration in Lynchburg MLS Area

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:33:01 -0500

I have decided what I am going to do for my independence day celebration. I am hoping for something more than just fireworks this year.

I intend to hike up to Sharp Top Mountain and watch the sun set and then watch the fireworks from the communities below.

There is not a lack of places to celebrate the 4th of July in the Lynchburg MLS area.

There Are No Bargains In Lynchburg Va

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:12:52 -0500

Well that is not completely true.

But if you are out house hunting you may be surprised that the market is not the way the media portrays it.

Why you ask? Why does it seem that Lynchburg Va area real estate does not seem that depressed?

It is because when the real estate bubble burst (for lack of a better word) it did not hit the mid-priced homes, it really effected the higher priced homes much more.

In areas where homes sell for less than $250,000 there are fewer discounts to be found. Even the foreclosure market has slowed and lenders are supporting market stabilization often releasing only a few homes at a time in order to not flood the market.

I think sometimes people over react to the housing statistics and think they can come in and offer 20 percent below asking price. This is not going to work in this market. Once buyers get realistic they can successfully become homeowners. If you are considering making an offer ask a REALTOR to give you a market anaylsis to determine what homes in the area have sold for and base your offer on those numbers not some numbers you pick off the top of your head randomly. All sellers are not in financial binds that they need to dump the house just for any price they can get.

Keep in mind you may not be the only one making an offer on the property as I have run into situations many times where there are multiple offers on one house and in some cases the house sells for more than the asking price.

Not meaning to discourage you in going out there and looking for a bargain and get all you can for your money but make smart offers. Get educated and be a savy buyer.

Possible Expansion of the $8,000 Tax Credit

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:28:52 -0500

I personally think it is a great idea. I think it could mean a continued rise in home sales in the Lynchburg City, Campbell County and Bedford County Virginia area and maybe even record breaking numbers. There has been some increase in activity in the Lynchburg MLS area especially with first time home owners as a result of the $8,000 tax credit. Expanding it to those of us that already own a home or may consider refinancing I think could be something that really helps a lot of people. What are your thoughts. I've posted more details about the possible expansion of the $8,000 tax credit for your review.

57 Country Place Lynchburg Va 24501

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:12:05 -0500

Make Your Live Easier

This cheerful town home has a clean open feeling. A planned community with sidewalks, towering trees and flowering shrubs that radiates perfection. After a hard days work enter a worry free world of Country Place town homes. You`ll love to live close to offices, restaurants and the finest shops. This is the perfect beginning, with a gleaming galley kitchen, huge master bedroom and main level laundry. There is nothing to do but move into this sunny two bedroom 1.5 bath.

Details

Asking Price:

64,900

MLS:

250925

Sq. Feet:

882

Lot Size:

.03

Bedrooms:

Bathrooms:

1.5

# of Floors:

HOA/Maintenance Fees:

Subdivision:

Country Place Townhomes

Year Built:

1985

Property Amenities

- Range/Oven - Full Refrigerator - Dishwasher - Patio

- Grass Lawn - Yard - Fenced Yard - Central A/C

- Central Heat - Tile floor - Dining Room - Laundry area - inside

Community Amenities

- Guest Parking

Contact Info

Nannette Saunders

Dir 4345463078 Email

414 Oakwood Hurt Va Home For Sale

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:34:29 -0500

Nannette Saunders | RE/MAX 1st Olympic | 434-546-3078

414 Oakwood, Hurt, VA

3BR/1BA Single Family House

offered at $109,999

Year Built	1954
Sq Footage	1,170
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2
Lot Size	.45 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Hardwood floor	Tile floor
Living room	Dishwasher	Refrigerator
Stove/Oven	Microwave	Stainless steel appliances
Laundry area - inside	Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

414 Oakwood	Photo 1
Photo 2	Photo 3
Photo 4	Front View

Contact info:

Nannette Saunders

RE/MAX 1st Olympic

434-546-3078

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jun 7, 2009, 5:44pm PDT

321 Harrison Street Lynchburg Va 24504

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:55:28 -0500

Nannette Saunders | RE/MAX 1st Olympic | 434546308

321 Harrison Street, Lynchburg, VA

3BR/1.5BA Single Family House

offered at $19,900

Year Built	1882
Sq Footage	2,416
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	None
Lot Size	.12 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Fireplace	Hardwood floor	Family room
Living room	Dining room	Basement
Laundry area - inside	Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front View

Contact info:

Nannette Saunders

RE/MAX 1st Olympic

434546308

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jun 7, 2009, 5:44pm PDT

Green Market Wednesdays At Lynchburg City's Community Market

Tue, 26 May 2009 14:24:00 -0500

Located in Historic Downtown Lynchburg City the Community Market features Green Market every Wednesday.

Our Wednesday growers only sell what they grow so your choices are fresh picked and full of nutrients. Low spray and certified organic is the main focus. Most fruits and vegetables are picked that same morning, giving you produce so fresh it will taste like you picked it yourself. Growers vary by season. For a current listing of what's fresh, sign up for the Green Market e-blast or call the market office at 434-455-4485

A great place to have a wedding in Lynchburg Va

Real Estate Tax Assessed Value per $100 in the Lynchburg MLS Area

Mon, 25 May 2009 09:40:50 -0500

The chart below lists the different counties in the Lynchburg MLS area and the real estate tax rates based on the assessed value per $100. One of the reason's many people move to Lynchburg or the the counties surrounding is because we enjoy one of the lowest real estate tax in the country allowing people to keep more of their money to use on the things they really want to spend it on!

Campbell County	.46
Amherst County	.52
Appomattox County	.44
Bedford City	.81
Bedford County	.50
Halifax County	.44
Lynchburg City	1.05
Nelson County	.55
Pittsylvania County	.53
Statewide Average	.57

If you are interested here is another great source of local information.

Memorial Day Events Bedford Va

Mon, 25 May 2009 07:03:49 -0500

Memorial Day observances at the National D-Day Memorial conclude today at 11 a.m. with a program featuring guest speakers, wreath laying, music and ROTC students in uniform from area high schools. Admission to the memorial is free from 10 a.m. until noon and guests are reminded to bring a chair.

If you are interested in learning what is going on in Lynchburg in observance of Memorial Day consider coming down to the Monument Terrace.

Renting Your Basement Apartment In Lynchburg, Bedford County or Campbell County

Sun, 24 May 2009 13:51:13 -0500

Many of the Lynchburg MLS area homes have terrace level basement apartments. Some people consider these "mother-in-law-suites" Often times a buyer client will specifically request this particular feature when searching for a new home in Lynchburg, Campbell County or Bedford County area.

Here are some questions you should ask your local zoning department prior to renting your basement apartment in the Lynchburg MLS area.

What are the specific guidelines for nonconforming use?

Must the home be owner occupied?

Define the difference between owner occupied and primary residence if there is a difference.

How long must the nonconforming use be abandoned before it is revoked?

I think that was Mr. B's problem prior to purchasing the property he did not ask enough questions.

Prior to renting a terrace level apartment be sure to review the local zoning laws. Many times "mother-in-law-suites" are in neighborhoods that are zoned as single family residences. If this be the case you don't want to be in the position of Mr. B as in my most recent post Why Can't I Rent My Basement Apartment?

Perfect Raindrop

Wed, 20 May 2009 08:32:56 -0500

One Dirty Dog

Thu, 07 May 2009 17:19:35 -0500

I went outside today to take some pictures. It was a beautiful day. We had had some rain for the past few days so the grass was real green and the flowers were blooming all over. I wanted to take advantage of the beauty and take some pictures of the flower garden I planted last year. It is not unusual for the dogs to go out with me & and wander around sniffing like dogs do.

I turned my back just for a few minutes as I got absorbed into picture taking and the next thing I knew Rosie was nose deep into the dirt. I don't know what it was that possessd her. However, she ended up getting a bath today.

Old Firehouse Grill 7943 Brookneal Highway, Gladys Virginia New Place To Eat In Gladys Virginia

Wed, 06 May 2009 14:30:54 -0500

If you have been traveling up 501, otherwise known as Brookneal Highway, you probably wondered what they were doing with the old fire house. With a fresh coat of paint I hardly recognized it. It was a pleasant surprise to find it has been renovated and now is a great place to eat.

Check it out! Great sandwiches and inexpensive prices! 7943 Brookneal Highway, Gladys Virginia. It is located near the intersection of Pigeon Run Road and Brookneal Highway.

If you are looking for a Realtor in the Lynchburg MLS area like Gladys, Brookneal area just give me a call or email me. I know the back roads of Campbell County like the back of my hand. I'd love to show you around!

Off to the races this weekend!

Tue, 05 May 2009 15:05:41 -0500

The Bedford County Hunt’s point-to-point races has races for thoroughbreds, with other events that include races for young riders and jumpers.

Every spring Bedford County hosts a Point to Point and it is schedule for this weekend, May 9 at 11 am. This event will take place at Wolf Branch Farm off Virginia 221 in Forest. Gates open to the general public at 11 a.m.

If you’re going
WHAT: Bedford County Hunt point-to-point races
WHEN: 1 p.m., Saturday, with gates opening at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Wolf Branch Farm, off Virginia 221, Forest
TICKETS: $15 per car for general admission; $40 per car for reserved parking

See you there! For more information learn more at NannetteSaunders.com

Seniors in the Spotlight in Campbell County Virginia

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:16:48 -0500

Senior Awareness Day May 21, 2009

9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Timberlake United Methodist Church

This is a FREE event for all senior citizens in the area.

There will be informational booths, refreshments and freebies as well as educational sessions on topics pertenent to elder care and life planning.

This event is sponsored by the Campbell County, Appomattox, Bedford and Lynchburg Departments of Social Services. For more details please call Susan Rosser Jones, Campbell County Social Services at 434-332-9770