Tag Archives: locust grove virginia

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Wilderness Run Vineyards

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year at Wilderness Run Vineyards and 1781 Brewing Company located at: 11109 Plank Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553. They are located on the right hand side of Route 3 (if you’re coming from Fredericksburg, VA) and right before you cross into Locust Grove, Virginia. They are known for their beautiful vineyard wines and tasty brewed beers.

On Saturday, March 16th, 2019 from 5PM to 8PM the Celtic Sessions band will be playing, so come listen to some music and enjoy a glass of wine or pint of beer! Dinner will be available from the Pifer Bros BBQ Truck, yum!

If you’re not sure what to do this St. Patrick’s Day, don’t miss this event, especially if you haven’t had the opportunity to try this vineyard and brewery’s wine and beer!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Annual Kidz Cruzin Car Show & Festival of Fun in Locust Grove, Virginia!

SAVE THE DATE! April 27th, 2019 from 11am – 3pm will be the Kidz Cruzin Car Show and Festival of Fun at the Locust Grove Primary School. (31230 Constitution Hwy, Locust Grove VA 22508). If it rains April 27th, new date will be: May 4th, 2019.

The 2nd Annual Kidz Cruzin Car show is hosted and sponsored by Details by Frank, LLC . 
This year they are partnering with Locust Grove Primary School PTA with 100% of the proceeds from this show will go directly to the Locust Grove Primary school!!

There will be cars, trucks, motorcycles, kids activities, vendor demonstrations, food trucks and more! This year, ONLY the KIDS will be voting for the best CAR, TRUCK, MOTORCYCLE and Best in show!! How fun! Plaques and prizes will be provided and if you would like to participate and register, you may do so the day of the show for $20! If you are a vendor interested in participating contact: Martha Brown 540-841-7273 or martha.detailsbyfrank@gmail.com

Support the local Locust Grove Primary School students by attending this family friendly event! Bring the kids so they can have some fun and put their vote in for their favorites. It’s sure to be a good time for parents and children alike.

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

CHARMING SINGLE FAMILY HOME IN LAKE OF THE WOODS, VIRGINIA NOW SOLD!!

Welcome to 116 Indian Hills Rd, Locust Grove VA 22508

You will be wowed by the character & charm of this home: brick front porch leading to the bright, open foyer with arched doorways & hardwoods in main living areas. Enjoy the soaring ceiling & warm fireplace in the family room with access to the spacious screened porch & patio. Expansive master suite boasts a jetted tub & large walk in closet! Plus all the lake has offer: beaches, stables, golf & more!

 

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Build Your Dream Home at: 3507 Lakeview Pkwy in Beautiful Lake of the Woods Virginia Offered at $28,000!

Start drawing up the plans to build your dream home! Lake of the Woods has so much to offer! A private, gated, secured community, Lake of the Woods offers anything and everything you could possibly want. Home to two lakes (the 550 acre main lake and a 35 acre “fishing lake”), a golf course, an equestrian center, a fire and rescue department, and a church all within the gates, Lake of the Woods simply has it all. Whether your passion is boating, waterskiing, kayaking, golfing, horseback riding, or simply taking in the breathtaking views from the clubhouse while enjoying a fabulous meal, from your own deck or yard, or from one of the beaches, you won’t be disappointed! Perhaps you’d like a game of bridge or volunteering your time and talents…Lake of the Woods offers more than 60 clubs and/or organizations from which you may choose to become involved. Located in Orange County, we are fortunate to enjoy low real estate taxes. Coupled with home prices ranging from $100,000 to over $2,000,000, Lake of the Woods is the perfect community for both full-time residents, as well as weekenders. But don’t take my word for it, please come see for yourself! I will gladly give you a tour of Lake of the Woods by boat and by car so that you may experience why I love Lake of the Woods!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

 

Charming Colonial Home in Lake of the Woods, VA NOW SOLD!!!!

Welcome to 712 Lakeview Pkwy in Lake of the Woods, Virginia 22508

You will be impressed as soon as you pull in the driveway! This colonial home is so full of extra detail. From the bright foyer with two story ceilings you will find a quaint den with french doors and a charming formal dining room. Enjoy the family room full of windows and high ceilings as well as a cozy fireplace. The kitchen boasts granite counters and stainless steel appliances with a breakfast nook and bar. You will find a spacious master on the first floor and master bath with a jetted tub for relaxation. Upstairs you will find three large bedrooms for family or guests as well as a bonus room that would work great as an office or additional living space.

This home and lake community have so much to offer! A private, gated, secured community, Lake of the Woods offers anything and everything you could possibly want. Home to two lakes (the 550 acre main lake and a 35 acre “fishing lake”), a golf course, an equestrian center, a fire and rescue department, and a church all within the gates, Lake of the Woods simply has it all. Whether your passion is boating, water-skiing, kayaking, golfing, horseback riding, or simply taking in the breathtaking views from the clubhouse while enjoying a fabulous meal, from your own deck or yard, or from one of the beaches, you won’t be disappointed! Perhaps you’d like a game of bridge or volunteering your time and talents…Lake of the Woods offers more than 60 clubs and/or organizations from which you may choose to become involved. Located in Orange County, we are fortunate to enjoy low real estate taxes. Coupled with home prices ranging from $100,000 to over $2,000,000, Lake of the Woods is the perfect community for both full-time residents, as well as weekenders. But don’t take my word for it, please come see for yourself! I will gladly give you a tour of Lake of the Woods by boat and by car so that you may experience why I love Lake of the Woods!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

 

 

Small Business Spotlight: Lake Anna Nursery & Landscaping

By: Central Virginia Small Business Development Center

Brandon Groome grew up in Mineral and had a career as a firefighter and paramedic. His wife Valerie is from Ferncliff and worked as a general manager at the Best Western, Zion Crossroads. In April 2017 the Louisa natives made the decision to leave their jobs behind and work together, purchasing Lake Anna Nursery from its original owners. Both feel that their past experiences in serving others will help them succeed as business owners – and they’re also happy to be more available for their three young children.

The Groomes have maintained the onsite retail nursery and garden center, but have also expanded into some exciting new areas – now providing residential and commercial property management services and landscape/hardscape design and installation. In October of 2017, the business added a full service florist on site and also plans to have an e-commerce business up and running soon!

Spring ViolaLake Anna Nursery grows all of its own annuals, hanging baskets and perennials. The Garden Center also carries a full line of trees and shrubs, the bulk of which come from Virginia and North Carolina sources.

Stop by Lake Anna Nursery, say hello to Valerie and Brandon and support this local small business. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

The Pros & Cons of a Buyer’s Letter: Standing Out in a Busy Market

Imagine, after weeks of searching, that you’ve finally found your dream home. It’s in the perfect location with the right features and exactly the amount of space you need. But after requesting more information, your agent informs you that there are already several offers made on the house. How do you stand out in a busy market and snag your dream home?

When buyers are looking to make a lasting impression on sellers, they often opt to submit a letter to the seller. In fact, a recent study found that buyers who submitted letters were 9% more likely to have their offer accepted.

A Buyer’s Letter can work both with you and against you, so it’s important to understand what they are and when you should use one.

What is a Buyer’s Letter?

A man typing on a laptopA Buyer’s Letter is pretty much what it sounds like — a letter written by the buyer for the seller in order to stand out in a busy market. The letter is your chance to make a case for why you should get the home over other buyers.

Many people opt to write about how they envision their lives in the home, how well they would take care of it, how much owning this specific home would mean to them, and similar sentiments.

You might also use this space to talk yourself up, bringing up steady finances, your down payment, and job security — things geared towards making the seller confident in choosing you.

Advantages of a Buyer’s Letter

A man and a woman shaking handsA Buyer’s Letter sets you apart from the crowd and makes you more than just an offer on a sheet of paper — it allows you to connect with the seller on a personal level. In a constantly growing and changing market, being able to stand out or connect puts you a big step ahead of other buyers.

Is the home close to a golf course? Does the seller have bikes in their garage? Are there signs of pets in the home? If you notice you have common interests, including them in the Buyer’s Letter can elevate your standing.

When you choose to forgo a Buyer’s Letter, you miss out on the chance to advocate for yourself, which can go a long way in the seller’s final decision.

Disadvantages of a Buyer’s Letter

A woman writing in a notebook. While there are plenty of pros to using a Buyer’s Letter, there are also pitfalls to consider. Making your case is great, but it does give the seller leverage. If you really love the house as much as you say, then what’s to stop the seller from raising the asking price?

Maybe the seller accepts your offer, and you move to the home inspection stage. If issues turn up, then the seller might refuse to make costly repairs, assuming that you’ll buy the house no matter what.

Another unexpected con of a buyer’s letter? It can be tricky for sellers to navigate around discrimination issues. If a seller picks a buyer of a certain race, religion, gender, or family status instead of another, they could face backlash. Be aware of this when writing your letter so as to not put the seller in an uncomfortable position.

Need Help Standing Out?

If you’re kicking off the home-buying process and need help standing out, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with us today, and we’ll help you secure your dream home, and answer any and all of your questions in the process.

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

The State of Real Estate at the Lake 2018

By Pat Licata, External Affairs Committee

numberofhomessold2018The inventory shortage experienced by most regions of the country was evident in Lake of the Woods in 2018, as listings were down 13.9% over those in 2017. 234 sales were reported in our MLS in 2018, down from 294 in 2017 (a 19.6% decrease).  New construction accounted for 11 of the 234 sales. The median sold price increased 4.56% year over year from $239,000 to $249,900.

Of the 234 total sales in 2018, only 15, or 6.4%, were either short sales or foreclosures.

At the height of the distressed real estate market in 2010, a whopping 43% of all sales were either short sales or foreclosures.

So let’s look at our steady growth over the past five years:

2018mediansalesprice

In 2014, the median sold price was $219,450, with 193 homes selling. Only 11.9% were distressed. Average days on market was 92.

In 2015, the total sales climbed to 247, with 15% being distressed. The total sales represented almost a 30% gain over 2014, and the median sales price dropped to $210,000.

In 2016, the market was quite flat compared to 2015 in regards to total sales, which held at 243 with a decrease in distressed sales to 11.1%. However, 2016 saw the median price jump to $225000, a healthy 7.1% increase.

In 2017, there were 294 total sales, a whopping 21.1% increase over 2016 with only 5.8% being distressed. The median sales price climbed to $239,000.

Average days on the market (DOM), which is the number of days it takes from the time a property is listed until it goes under contract, has steadily declined from 92 days in 2014 to 76 in 2018.

It’s also telling to note that a significant number of lots have sold in the past five years. From January 1, 2014-December 31, 2018, 177 lots exchanged, with 55 occurring in 2018.

newconstructionstarts2018

New Construction has been climbing, as well. 2014 realized 18 new construction starts; in 2015, there were 41; in 2016, there were 28; in 2017, there were 30; and in 2018, there were 34.

In 2019, according to Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and the National Association of Realtors, mortgage rates are expected to increase at a much slower pace than that in 2018. So far in 2019, they have actually decreased from the 4th quarter of 2018.

The prognosis for 2019 is excellent!  In many areas of the country, inventory is rising. In LOW, there are 62 homes active on the market as of 1/26/2019. Last year in January, there were 55. More stable rates and more inventory should propel us to experience healthy sales and appreciation.

**All statistics have been obtained from BrightMLS, our local MLS, except for new construction starts, which were obtained from LOWA.

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Free AARP Tax Preparation Site Moved to Community Center

Due to renovations being made in the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse, the free AARP tax preparation site has been moved to the COMMUNITY CENTER.

The AARP Tax Aide program is to provide free tax preparation for low-to-moderate income families and individuals whose returns are within the scope of AARP volunteer training.

AARP Membership is not required to use this free service that is being offered.

The tax preparations will begin being held on Fridays and Saturdays from February 1st through April 13th. Appointments are required. Please call 540-268-8837 to schedule yours today!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Win TWO tickets to SOLD OUT: Murder Mystery Dinner Party!!!

Orange County Animal Shelter

We LOVE supporting the local animal shelter and we hope you will too!

You can support the Local Orange County Humane Society by ADOPTING a pet or DONATING an item. You will be entered to win 2 tickets to the MURDER MYSTERY DINNER PARTY at the INN at WILLOW GROVE. We have the LAST TWO tickets available! The shelter currently needs: BLEACH, TOYS, CAT LITTER, LAUNDRY SOAP, CANNED CAT & DOG FOOD, BLANKETS or a MONETARY donation is accepted as well. If you donate or adopt a pet in February PLEASE LET THE SHELTER KNOW YOU WANT TO BE ENTERED INTO OUR CONTEST! Be sure to provide your name, phone number and email address!

Winner will be chosen Friday, MARCH 1st, 2019!

Thank you for supporting your local animal shelter!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.