Kate Elim, Lake Anna Real Estate Specialist: December 2008

It looks like 2009 is going to be a good one. 

Monday I took a new listing for a water access home.  It is a very nice small log cabin, cape cod style.  This will make a great getaway for someone interested in spending some quality time in a very restful spot.

Tuesday (hey, that's today) I received a call from a fellow RE/MAX agent* in Northern Virginia that is giving me a referral.  He knows a couple that is thinking of buying a waterfront lot down here at Lake Anna.  As he does not know the area he has made the wise decision of referring them to someone who does.  Oh, if only more agents were so wise.

This couple is in need of a lender and I have two that I will be suggesting.  One is a member of Active Rain and the other** received some information about AR from me today and I will be e-mailing him a link.  Hopefully he will see the value in joining.

I also received an e-mail from someone that would like to come down to the lake on Saturday.  He and his wife have not been here before so we will take a tour to see if Lake Anna is where they would like to buy a second home.  If, and I suspect the answer will be positive, they decide to take a look at some houses we are all prepared to do just that.  A number of listings have been sent to them this afternoon and they will get back to me with the ones they would like to look at.

One of the agents in my office will be showing a listing of mine on Sunday.  She is very positive about the house and hopes her clients will feel the same way.  Time will tell.

Are you looking forward to 2009 with optimism?  Believe me, it is the only way.

If things aren't happening for you...make them happen.  Put your mind to work and come up with the best ideas you possibly can to ensure that you make of 2009 what you want it to be.  There are some things we cannot control and there are other things we can.  Make sure you take advantage of everything you can possibly influence. 

Use Active Rain to the fullest.  There are so many posts full of wonderful suggestions on how to improve your business. The topics are endless and the advice often top-rate.  Digest as much of it as you can and then put it to work for you.

Make sure you:

• Do it with gusto! 

• Do it with enthusiasm! 

• Do it with caring! 

• Do it with all the tools at your disposal. 

• Do it with all the knowledge and experience you have.

• Do it with a sense of confidence!

• Do it because you want to make a difference in people's lives.

• Do it because you can!

Sunday I was thinking that I needed to get going.  I really did not have much of anything in the works and that was fine.  2008 had been a good year for me and I enjoyed a pretty restful November and December.

Now it was time to rev up again.  It happened sooner than I thought it would.  I had no idea yesterday and today would be so fruitful.  May the same be true for you.

*A likely candidate for Brad's New Year's Day sign up a new Active Rain member.

**Another possibility for Brad's initiative.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate. 

Contact Kate at 540-226-1964 or lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web site http://lakeannacountry.com/.

Copyright © 2008 By Kathleen "Kate" Elim, All Rights Reserved. *2008 is Still Alive and Well but Here Comes 2009*.

So many posts I read mention business plans and goals for 2009.  It has me wondering what are some of the things that you include in yours.

We know that many REALTORS think in terms of:

• How many transactions they get to settlement.

• The dollar amount of their production.

• The amount of commission they have earned.
  

These things are very important.  We are not volunteers in the field of real estate.  We are here to make a living.

But, are we living?

• Are we enjoying ourselves?

• Do we spend enough time with friends and family?

• Is there enough "alone" time to savor life?

• Do we get too caught up in setting goals that put our private life in jeopardy?
  
  

One of the wonderful things about making real estate your profession is that you are providing yourself with a career that has unlimited possibilities.  One of the most important ones is the fact that your can continue working in this field as long as your health permits. 

Age is not a determining factor.  Young people out of high school* have found success while those in their seventies and eighties continue to work effectively with buyers and sellers.

The more you enjoy what you are doing the longer you will want to do it. 

Make sure that you enjoy working in real estate.  That may well be the true measure of your success.

Are you including enjoyment as one of your goals for 2009?

*Please understand, I strongly suggest attending college.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate. 

Contact Kate at 540-226-1964 or lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web site http://lakeannacountry.com/.

Copyright © 2008 By Kathleen "Kate" Elim, All Rights Reserved. *Active Rainers...Do Your Goals for 2009 Include More Than Commissions and Transactions?*.

When you have lived at Lake Anna for a while, you learn to adjust to a slower pace and you learn to love it.  We even have patience when we hear that there are going to be some changes. 

While you may see nothing but open space in this photo, those of us with vision see Cutalong, one of the new projects proposed for our area.  These 1,000 acres are going to be turned into a very desirable community and retail center.

Cutalong will be Lake Anna's first Golf and water oriented community.  It is well into the planning stages and a number of people have put in their reservations for the opportunity to have a spot in this one-of-a-kind community proposed for the lake. 

The biggest distinction is the planned championship golf course.  Although we are fortunate to have Tanyard Country Club in nearby Louisa with its 18-hole course this will be a first for Lake Anna. 

A clubhouse will be located on the waterfront and will provide fine dining, tennis facilities, a pool and a fitness center.  With its location on the shore of Lake Anna it will provide a perfect spot to sit and enjoy sights of the lake.

Plans for Cutalong call for a number of home sites plus townhouses.  A retail village will provide space for  a variety of retailers,  restaurants, nature preserves, banking, and a supermarket all within walking distance of Cutalong residents.

Cutalong Harbor will have wet slips and a boatel for the exclusive use of residents.  They will be able to enjoy all the things that other Lake Anna residents find so appealing about life here.  This is a great lake for water skiing, fishing, swimming, sailing, jet skiing, and simply cruising along slowly taking in the sights.

Imagine being able to have this lifestyle within easy reach of the D.C. metropolitan area, Richmond, Charlottesville, and Fredericksburg. 

Reservations are being taken for those that would like to consider Cutalong as a future spot for a second home or for their permanent place to live.  

If you'd like to have more information about this future community here at Lake Anna or would like to be added to the reservation list at no cost just let me know and I will make sure you receive it.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate. 

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites  and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Copyright © 2008 By Kathleen "Kate" Elim, All Rights Reserved. *Cutalong...A Golf Course of Course*.

Photo taken by Kate Elim, REALTOR, RE/MAX Lake & Country, Lake Anna, Virginia.  LakeAnnaCountry.com

Just about an hour ago I was at a closing where my purchasers were settling on a home that had a 2008 tax assessment of $832,000.  They paid $640,000.  Where did the value of almost $200,000 go?

Well, you better believe one of the first things these new homeowners are planning to do is to appeal their tax assessment.  They made that perfectly clear soon after having a ratified contract and reiterated it again this afternoon.

Oh yes, they like many others are now owning property that is assessed by their local governments for much more than market value.

Will many governments make adjustments that will truly reflect the current market down turn?  Or, are homeowners simply setting themselves up for further frustration when they try to have their properties reassessed?

How will the local governments handle this without antagonizing their property owners and yet not risking a serious loss of income?  Who will pay the bills the governments have piling up?  Do the assessments go down and the rates go up?

The domino effect is alive and well.  What do you think will be the outcome?

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate. 

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web site http://lakeannacountry.com/

Copyright © 2008 By Kathleen "Kate" Elim, All Rights Reserved. *Boy, are the Tax Assessor's Going to be real BUSY*.

For all of those living in the Fredericksburg area and for all of those fortunate to visit please be sure to treat yourselves to more than a peek at one of the very best shops in the area.

Although this is not a Christmas store, one would hardly know at this time of year.  It is decked out from head to toe with a vast array of ornaments, stockings, whimsical gifts, and just about anything you can think of that will add to your holiday joy.

  If you like what you see here you will be even more excited when you actually pay a visit to

Whittingham

1201 Caroline Street

Fredericksburg, VA

Oh, oh.  There's been a little mischief going on here at home.  Thank goodness I have just the place to go to replace my ornament.  I will just take a quick drive down to 1021 Caroline Street to Old Town Fredericksburg where I'll run into Whittingham's and then.........................well, it will not be that easy.  After all there are so many ornaments to choose from even now. 

So if you are looking for the perfect decoration for your home, an unusual ornament for your tree or a unique gift for the special ones in your life, follow me to Whittingham's.  You will  delight in the choices you have.  I suppose I must warn you.  Allow enough time as this is one store it is very hard to simply walk in and back out. 

One more thing, before walking through that door take a good long look at the display in the window.  Whittingham is known throughout the area for its creative displays.  This year's will delight you.  Especially if you enjoy the antics of these mischiveous mice.

These are some of the mice cavorting around Whittingham.  Much of the time they are in the front windows so you can get an eyeful.  These photos give you some idea of the delightful sights to be seen both inside and outside this one of a kind shop that has been a Fredericksburg favorite for 35 years.

Whittingham

1021 Caroline Street

Fredericksburg, Virginia  22401

[540] 374-0443

www.ShopWhittingham.com

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate. 

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites  and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

Copyright © 2008 By Kathleen "Kate" Elim, All Rights Reserved. *Mischief in Fredericksburg, VA*.