Big cities are, more often than not, pretty exhausting to live in. Of course, when you are young, they could seem like a convenient solution. However, once you get to a certain age, you begin to crave a more tranquil lifestyle. The one that a huge metropolis certainly can’t provide. Luckily, some places can! Plenty of neighborhoods in Orange County, VA, for example, offer families and retirees a chance to experience a peaceful life without depriving them of exciting things to do. The county is also close to major hubs such as Washington, DC, and Richmond, so even if you start missing the old days, everything’s just a short drive away.
What makes Orange County, VA, a great place to move to?
Perhaps it’s the history that this area is so rich in or the breathtaking landscape because of which you can’t help but be in awe. Maybe it’s the local vineyards with sets of delicious wines available for tasting. Or simply the fact that your dollar goes further in the county of Prince William III of Orange. And yes, lower taxes are to blame as well, being particularly attractive to future homeowners.
Despite the overall rural vibe that most neighborhoods in Orange County, VA share, the region can boast many employment opportunities. Residents of the area tend to work in companies such as Green Applications, American Woodmark, Walmart, and MPS. The county is also known as the biggest producer of grapes in the whole of Virginia, and even further.
The majority of people who choose to settle in Orange County stumble upon it first as tourists. It’s during these visits that they fall in love with the place. And who can blame them? It’s hard to resist the charms of its peculiar little shops, local restaurants serving otherworldly dishes, and historical sights such as Montpelier, the home of our fourth president, James Madison. It’s there that settlers and visitors alike can watch Jack Russel terriers and horses race the first Saturday of November.
Thanks to the affordability and attractive interest rates, the area of Northern Virginia has also recently gained popularity. Some neighborhoods are especially desirable to home buyers, and we will explore what each of them has to offer. Once you’ve decided on the community that’s right for you, you can ask Northern Virginia-based professionals to help you get settled as soon as possible.
Once upon a time, Orange County was home to the fourth US president, James Madison.
The hottest Orange County neighborhoods
Below you will find the highly sought-after Orange County communities that provide their residents with the much-needed peace of mind.
Gordonsville
With a population of about 1800, Gordonsville is quite a small town. However, its size doesn’t stop it from being a great place to live in for just about anyone. Young couples, families with children, and senior citizens can benefit from calling this tiny settlement their home. With plenty of quaint shops, charming cafes, and loads of opportunities to engage in outdoor activities, Gordonsville is equipped with a bit of something for everyone.
Each year, the town organizes Porkapooloza, or as they say, the greatest pork feast on Earth! The whole place is family-friendly and has various parks and playgrounds you can take your kids to. Additionally, crime is practically non-existent here, making the neighborhood pretty safe.
While the actual unemployment rate is slightly below the US average, Gordonsville’s proximity to major cities, such as Charlottesville, more than makes up for it. It’s not unusual for residents of this town to work elsewhere, as commuting to and from work typically takes a short time.
Most of the people living here own their homes, which isn’t peculiar when you think about it. Median home price in Gordonsville falls short of $200,000, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a place with a suburban feel that’s, nonetheless, not too far from the center of all activities.
Those looking to move here won’t be disappointed after venturing into the process. The advantages of life in Gordonsville certainly outweigh the cons. It’s worth noting, however, that before you’ve permanently settled into the area, you will have had to prepare for the moving day. You’ll need to make a detailed plan for the big day. After all, relocations can quickly become troublesome without a carefully devised course of action.
Gordonsville has a number of charming little cafes for people to relax in.
Lake of the Woods
As far as popular neighborhoods in Orange County, VA go, Lake of the Woods is definitely the top pick! It’s suitable for everyone, regardless of their age. Two mesmerizing lakes located in the area allow residents to enjoy swimming and a variety of water sports. In addition, Lake of the Woods can boast its dog-friendly status, as it has several parks and trails that locals use to spend time with their furry friends.
The community is pretty safe and even has a set of its own patrolling units overlooking it. It’s also tightly-knit, which essentially means that neighbors are friendly and willing to help each other. With many events taking place here regularly, it’s no wonder why newcomers are looking to it as a perfect place to purchase a vacation home. While on the topic of property buying, it’s worth mentioning that a typical house here will cost you about $250,000. Not bad for an oasis of peace.
Lake of the Woods is one of the pet-friendly neighborhoods in Orange County, VA, suitable for taking your dog for a walk.
Orange
Orange County gets its name from the town of Orange, which is, actually, the seat of this county. The overall vibe of this place is quiet, and residents report that there isn’t much to be done here except relax. For some people, however, that may just be enough. That’s not to say the town is utterly dull and there are no reasons to move here. Not at all! Orange is packed with historic sights, excellent schools, and it’s an overall safe community with no real crime.
Despite the practically non-existent nightlife, the town still has some charming restaurants and cafes you can go to. This makes it a perfect choice for everyone looking for neighborhoods in Orange County, VA, that allow them to completely escape city life. Those interested in shopping for properties in the area will be happy to know that the average price of a home lies at around $260,000. Considering that the national average is significantly greater, investing in housing here is a choice well-made.
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 homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. 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.
Buying a property in Virginia can be a great experience if you are lucky enough to find the professionals who can help you do it. Virginia is a state where rural and urban make a unique scene making sure that you can find whatever you search for. However, bear in mind that there is a long way from having an idea to move to Virginia to actually making the final decision and signing the necessary papers. There are some specific rules you need to be acquainted with, so you will need some help from a realtor. Here are some things that every real estate agent in Virginia needs to know.
Before
hiring a realtor
Here are some things that you
should know about working with a real estate agent in Virginia:
Let’s start with some good news – usually, the seller pays the commission which is divided between a seller’s and a buyer’s agent.
You should always check whether the agent you want to hire is licensed to do the job. Don’t rely on customer reviews on websites only and always ask for personal referrals.
Before you hire a real estate agent, you should try to figure out what you are actually looking for. Make a list of all the characteristics that you expect your new home to have. That will make yours and your realtor’s job much easier. While at it, you should decide what you are going to do with the possessions you are not planning to relocate. This might seem like thinking too far ahead, but it isn’t. Once you find the home that you want to buy or rent you will be too busy dealing with paperwork, credits, and inspections. The solutions for storing furniture in Virginia will probably be the last thing on your mind. A tip: Find and book them in advance!
Buying a property is probably one of the greatest investments you’ll have
Every real estate agent in Virginia
needs to know the statistics
Numbers and figures are something that every real estate agent just has to know
no matter where he/she lives and works. Virginia is a huge real estate
market with a lot of great listings so that everybody can find the property
they are searching for, be that a flat, an urban home, a ranch or a vacation home.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has it all!
At the moment, Virginia real
estate market is very hot. The average time that a home stays on the market
before being sold is 64 days. The hot market also means that over the past
year, the prices of listings have gone up 4.3%. The median home value in
the state at the moment is $264,200. Moreover, the predictions are that,
within the next year, the price will rise as much as 2.8%. The median
value that the sellers in Virginia expect to get for their property is $310,325.
On the other hand, the average amount that people are paying for their home in
the state is $269,900.
The average rent in Virginia is
somewhere around $1,700 per month.
A
good realtor is expected to know the history of listings they are showing
Buyers are curious, especially when they are about to make such an investment
as buying a property. And, who can blame them? Besides the common facts that
the realtor is expected to know about the property he/she is trying to earn on,
here are some of the questions that buyers in Virginia tend to ask:
Was this property the site of a meth lab and if so, was it cleaned properly and in accordance with the regulations?
Are there any defects to the drywall in the house?
Is this place within the area of military air installation? – It might sound silly, but these are the questions that a real estate agent in Virginia just has to be able to answer.
Whatever you are searching for, a good real estate agent in Virginia will help you find it
And,
a lot more
More details about residential
property disclosure can be found within Residential Property Disclosure
made by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Plus, a good real estate agent would have to at least know to point their
clients in the right direction where they can find the answers he/she cannot
give them directly.
One of the qualities of a realtor
that cannot be learned by heart is just being friendly and welcoming to the
newcomers wanting to buy a property and stay in Virginia. They will like to
know more about the neighborhood and the county wherein they are searching for
a place. A good real estate agent has to have some additional info up their
sleeve. For instance, they should be informed about the top things to do in Orange County if that is the area of the buyer’s interest. Or, they
should have some basic data on local schools in the neighborhood.
A
real estate agent in Virginia needs to be familiar with paperwork a buyer needs
to go through
Whether you are a Canadian buying a property in Virginia, or a local citizen moving to another street, you will have a lot of paperwork to handle before becoming an official owner of a Virginia property. What is specific about the real estate market in this state is that a lot is left to the buyer to do. That is where a helping hand from the good realtor is priceless. Other than signing the purchase agreement, you will have to deal with taxes and mortgages. A realtor who always has a good piece of advice when needed is worth their weight in gold.
There are some more things that need to be done in order for a buyer to completely disclose the purchase. They have to provide the inspection report after having a house inspection done. This is done in order to identify the problems with pests, structure, drainage, mold, electrical, plumbing, heating, etc. Ok, how can a real estate agent help me with that? – you might be asking yourselves. Well, after you get the inspection results, a realtor can help you negotiate the price with the seller.
You will have to sign a lot of papers to disclose the purchase
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors 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.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, you’ve probably heard, “location, location, location!” on repeat. Finding the perfect city or town is one thing, but you’ll need to take it a step further. The right neighborhood matters more than you think, so before you start your search, we have some tips to help you find the perfect spot!
Do Your Research
Before you start driving through prospective neighborhoods, you’ll want to do some research at home first. Finding the right place to live can be time-consuming, but some quick online searches can help narrow down your options. Many agents also spotlight certain neighborhoods on their website and tend to offer more in-depth guides—as well as more listings and home-buying tips.
After doing your initial research, you’ve probably narrowed your list down to a few neighborhoods. Now it’s time to delve deeper and look at these places by the numbers. It’s worth looking at stats like crime rate, HOA fees, and average property taxes. You might want to start your search with sites like Neighborhood Scout and City-Data—these sites give you localized data on demographics, schools, and more.
Scope Out What’s Around
While the actual neighborhood might seem perfect, what’s around matters a lot, too. Remember, you’re buying more than just a home—you’re finding a new place to thrive. If you’re looking for convenience, a community far-removed from amenities you love might not work. Be sure to take your commute into account, as well as the driving distance to places you go all the time.
School districts also play a big factor in which area you choose, especially for your kids. Even if you don’t have children, home prices in good districts are consistently higher than others, so it’s still something you should take into account. Want the inside scoop? Compare options by looking up which schools serve a community and exploring their ratings on sites like Niche.com.
Take a Stroll
Now it’s time for some field research! Once you’ve picked some neighborhoods that seem like a good fit, go do some exploring—you’ll want to do more than just drive around, though. Get out of the car and take a stroll during different times of the day! This is a fantastic way to meet potential neighbors and see the condition of homes.
You’ll want to ask yourself some crucial questions during each visit. How well do residents maintain their homes? Do you see a lot of people outside, or does everyone seem to keep to themselves? Is there any common space or amenities you’ll want to use? This is the best way to picture yourself living in an area before actually committing to a home.
Narrow Down Your Options
If you don’t have a clear winner in your head after you visit each community, it’s time to down and weigh the pros and cons. You should also evaluate the market—there might not be a home for sale that suits your needs in the neighborhood you love, so consider all of your options.
If you have any other questions, be sure to reach out to a real estate professional. They’ll use their expertise to help you make an informed decision, and can also show you spots you might have missed!
Ready to Find the Neighborhood of Your Dreams?
No matter where you are in your home search, we’d love to help make the process easier. We’ve got you covered, whether you’re still searching for the right community or are ready to look at homes. Give us a call today so we can chat—we can’t wait to be your local experts!
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 homeworth?” 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.
