100 YEARS OLD THIS MARCH!
click here to see the events planned for the week long celebration

Lately, the news can be filled with doom and gloom about the real estate market.  Of course, we know that there is not one "real estate market", but many many markets spread all across the country.  Some of those markets were overbuilt during the 2003-2005 boom years while others, like our own, are much more in balance.

We watch our local market very carefully on a daily basis.  We monitor the number of showings scheduled for a week in our office, how phone and walk in traffic is doing, how many and what types of homes go under contract etc.  We use that information to advise our buyers and sellers.

We have seen something very interesting happening.  Homes that are in good condition and priced to sell will sell!   We have listed three homes since the beginning of this year where the owners were transferring to other states.  Each of the homes was in good to excellent condition.  Their price points were $200,000, $300,000 and $339,000.  Each of these homes got immediate multiple showings and within two weeks, each was under contract. 

You won't find these stories in the newspaper, good news never seems to sell newspapers!

Buyers soon become experts on home values in their price ranges.  They often see many homes before making a decision and know exactly whether a home is priced well or overpriced.  They compare condition of homes and because of the number of homes on the market, they pick and choose the homes in better than average condition.

But the bottom line is, there are buyers out there and they are buying homes in good condition and priced to sell.

I realize that as a real estate agent, I have more than average "windshield time" in my vehicle.  The benefit of all the time in my Jeep is that I see so much of our beautiful Shenandoah Valley.  I am also fortunate to be able to see the growth that is taking place right before our eyes.  So much of the growth is positive-new schools for our children, a new hospital campus for all of us, growing senior living facilities for our parents and more.  All of this contributes to making the Shenandoah Valley a vibrant community.

I also realize that many of you may not be able to see what is taking place on a weekly basis.  Your paths may not cross these areas as you go to and from work.  You may not even be aware of some of the new opportunities forthcoming in our community.

From time to time on our BLOG, I will highlight some of this growth, which brings me back to my original question—can you identify this picture?

This picture is the new combined Harrisonburg City Smithland Elementary and Skyline Middle School located off of Country Club Road.

If you would like to see more articles about growth with pictures and links for additional information, would you let me know by adding a comment to the BLOG?  Also, if there is something in particular you would like more information about or a link to, let me know that too.

Thinking of doing some Spring remodeling or updating in your kitchen and/or bath … you might think about picking up a Lowe's Kitchen and Bath card and registering it by 3/16/2008.  Every $1,000 you spend by April 27^th, 2008 you will be mailed a $100 gift card after the promotion is over. 

If you are thinking about selling, buying, or updating an investment property in the next month or so and you might be buying appliances those extra gift cards will start adding up!

 Promotion Details

I will say it up front ... it is a good idea to be diverse when planning for your future and investing your hard earned money...now that you have heard that again lets go a bit deeper in to investing in stocks verses a rental property…it just might not be a bad move to make for your portfolio!

Say you have $20,000 to invest…(even though you might be able to buy something with less money)

My Opinion…

Be creative with your portfolio, look into buying a rental property you might be surprised how much faster you can build your wealth and nest egg for the future.  In 30 years even if the housing market does not increase 1% (even though that is highly unlikely) you still have a house that was paid for by someone else, you will have received 30 years worth of major tax benefits, and the toughest decision you will be faced with is …

1. Do you sell it and take that $200,000 or more to the bank?

OR

2. While it is paid in full do you supplement your income with a nice rental check each month?

My wife and I lived in Massanutten when we married; I look back now and realize how we did not even begin to take advantage of how close we lived to all the amenities this "Four Seasons Resort" has to offer.  It has expanded even more since we moved off the mountain 3 years ago and we plan to start trying to take more advantage of such a great local destination! 

No you don't have to live there or vacation there to take advantage of all these fine amenities. 

Did You Know Massanutten Has…

• Indoor/Outdoor Water Park
• Skiing
• Snow Tubing Park
• Golf Driving Range
• (2) 18 hole golf courses
• Hiking trails
• Putt Putt
• Go Karts
• Fishing
• Ball Fields
• Outdoor BBQ Areas
• Picnic Area
• Playground
• Overlooks
• Restaurants
• Skateboard Park
• Nightlife/Concerts
• Annual: Festivals, Craft Shows, Wine & Beer Tasting

And much more….

For more details of the amenities check out their website www.MassResort.com

Whether you want to call it a "recession" or not, the fact is, that in many areas of the country the volume in the real estate sales market is less than it has been in the past few years.  Some might say don't buy now…in my opinion NOW IS EVEN A BETTER TIME TO BUY! 

Here is an article recently published in Time Magazine titled, "Ignore the Headlines!" by: Dan Kadlec.  Dan offers great insight into the logic behind one of the advantages of buying during a "recession" with low interest rates.

A summary of the article…