MARKET REPORT - LAKE ANNA...Louisa County WATER ACCESS Homes SOLD in 2011

There are three counties bordering Lake Anna.  They are Louisa, Spotsylvania, and Orange Counties.  Both Louisa and Spotsylvania encompass the majority of the countryside while Orange County covers a much smaller section in the northwest area of the lake.  This market report* lists the water access homes sold in Louisa County on the Private Side during 2011.

The Private Side is located entirely in Louisa County.

Water access homes are homes located off water.  When we talk about water access homes we are actually including four categories:

1. Water Access with a boat slip
   
   
2. Water Access withouut  an assigned boat slip
   
   
3. Water View with an assigned boat slip
   
   
4. 4.  Water view without an assigned boat slip

Prices generally range from below $100,000 to several hundred thousand dollars.  Price is naturally based on a number of factors.  They

• View of Lake Anna

• Age and condition
  
  
• Square footage
  
  
• Upgrades
  
  
• Room sizes
  
  
• With or without assigned boat slip
  
  
• Lot condition
  
  
• Community amenities (including depth of water at commond area/boat slips

Things that do not determine market value:

• Whether it is on the main lake or on the private side
  
  
• Which county it is located in

*Information obtained from the Metropolitan Regional Information System (MRIS).  All information should be verified for accuracy.

Winter hasn't hit us yet and already I'm thinking of spring and summer at Lake Anna.  We have only had a couple of wintry days when the weather has been down in the 40's.  Other than that we have had unseasonably warm days, many of them sunny ones.  We really have nothing to complain about...unless you like to freeze, and yet I find myself thinking spring is right around the corner.

It seems like it will only be days from now when I'll be passing by the vineyards where Lake Anna Winery grows the grapes for the award winning wine produced there.  The seasons come and go so swiftly and our next one will be here before we know it.  Meanwhile I'm ready for winter if and when it decides to show up at Lake Anna.

Obrigado is a local restaurant that has become a favorite spot for not only Louisa residents but also many folks at Lake Anna.  Located on Main Street in downtown Louisa across from the County Courthouse it is easy to find and will be hard to forget.  The menu is varied and the food is delicious.

Obrigado is open six days a week, Tuesday through Saturday, from 11:00 - 3:00 and 5:00 to 9:00.  On Sunday they serve brunch from 10:30 to 2.

For Reservations, please call 540-967-9447

I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself and be happy you have discovered Obrigado.  Please tell Jade I sent you!  Thanks.

Winter "buyers" are almost always SERIOUS BUYERS.  Most buyers that are out looking at properties at Lakek Anna during the winter months and especially during the holidays are usually goal oriented.  They are looking at the calendar and realize that if they begin looking now they will have a very good chance of finding something well before the recreational season begins.  By recreational I'm talking specifically about the water oriented activities. Many of the other activities can be done year round or almost year round. 

There are many times buyers' thoughts turn to warm weather and having fun even in the midst of winter.

Sellers interested in getting their home sold should be aware that someone asking to see it this month is very likely to be a real possibility.  Most people are too busy to add extraneous homes to their list.  They are generally focused on making the best use of their time and that means selecting the homes that best meet their needs. 

Some Lake Anna sellers believe that it is better to take their homes off the market because not as many buyers are looking.  That has some truth to it.  However, if there are less homes on the market and someone serious is looking they might find your home fits their needs and you have gotten it sold before all the competition floods the market.

It is hard to know exactly when a home will sell so perhaps taking advantage of winter's serious buyers may prove to be the right way to go.

Louisa Arts Center presents a treat for the holidays.  For all of you parents and grandparents this is a chance to have an entertaining afternoon with the younger set in your family.   If you are looking for a fun thing to do this might just be it.

Children admitted free when accompanied by an adult
with a General Admission ticket.

Buy your tickets for the performance at the Cooke-Haley Theater online at
www.louisaarts.org

We are so lucky to have a super neat shop close to Lake Anna.  The Fabric Hut and Gift Gallery is full of gift items and this is the perfect time of the year to make a visit.  While there I saw a number of items perfect for others and I know you'll be tempted, as I was, by items that you would like to have too.  There are personal as well as many household items to choose from.

Simply walking inside puts you in the holiday spirit.

One of the nice things about Fabric Hut is the way they display their wares.  It is artfully done and makes it a pleasure to stroll around gazing at one thing after the other.  I had quite a time taking photos.  You will have an equally enjoyable time shopping there. 

Be sure to make Fabric Hut one of your stops while out Christmas shopping.  You may well be able to check a number of presents off your list plus you'll no doubt find a few items that you won't want to resist for youself.

Fabric Hut is located in downtown Louisa across from the Courthouse. 

FABRIC HUT & GIFT GALLERY

203 West Main Street

Louisa, Virginia  23093

            (540) 967-1630         

Even though winter is fast approaching, at least the official beginning, we are still experiencing some really lovely weather at Lake Anna.  It was a little bit crisp today but the bright sunshine warmed us up.  On days like this its nice enough to be out on the lake.  Although I was too busy to do that it made me think of the times that I am fortunate enough to take a spin up lake.

For those of you that don't live at Lake Anna here's a taste of what it is like during a good part of the year.  I love taking a ride with my husband as he pilots the boat and I sit back taking photo after photo.  It is especially enjoyable when we pass by other folks that are also having a good time.

Some of the shoreline improvements can accommodate a very large crowd and yet are just right for a small gathering.  This is one of those that provides lots of places to enjoy both sunshine and shade.  

A day spent out on Lake Anna supplies me with plenty of memories, and photos, to get me though even the coldest of winter days.

One of the pleasures of fall is getting out on the water to see the beautiful fall colors.  Today was such a day.  Dockside Realty held its Annual Fall Flotilla.  We had super weather, bright sunshine much of the time and not a bit of rain in sight.

Topping off the day was a nice turnout and a very tasty lunch in a wonderful setting.  We dined outside on the patio and the beach area of a lovely home that is currently on the market in Twin Lakes, a subdivision that has access to both sides of Lake Anna.

The photo on the left was taken in the early spring so it  does not show the colorful leaves that we were lucky enough to see today.  However, it is the beach where some of our guests had lunch today.  This is just one of many lovely homes that we saw today as well as only one of the many homes currently on the market. 

This photo was taken today.  It is the boat house for one of the homes currently under construction on the private side of Lake Anna.  The boat house looks good enough to live in!

Although the colors were great today we still have another week or so to view fall foliage so if anyone wants to take a peek give me a call.  We can also find time to look at some of those beautiful homes I mentioned.

One of the things that we have to look forward to each year is the annual luncheon put on by the Lake Anna Piecemakers.  This vibrant group of quilters has been meeting for a number of years and at one point decided that it would be a good idea to have a luncheon where quilts and crafts could be displayed and a guest  would speak on a topic of interest to the group.  It was such a success that it has carried over year after year.

The Piecemakers have been meeting at the LARI (Lake Anna Rescue) Building for years and another purpose of the luncheon is to raise money for the Rescue Squad.  As a group, the Piecemakers are very indebted to LARI for the use of the meeting room.  As residents at or near Lake Anna they are indebted to LARI for the wonderful service numerous volunteers have provided area folks for many years.

If you are looking for a pleasant way to spend a few hours consider attending this year's luncheon.  You will be impressed by the array of gorgeous quilts and other items on display AND best of all you'll enjoy delicious food and fun company.