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.

Fredericksburg, VA has the beauty and charm of a small American town.  One of the reasons is that it is an old town filled with homes that look as though they should be on postcards or calendars.  Fredericksburg's history is long and filled with interesting events.   When you stroll up and down some of the street within this small town you can see sites that have been seen by generation after generation of residents. 

When I think of small towns along the east coast this is part of the vision that I conjour up.  Fredericksburg fits the bill perfectly.  It has a number of streets that are meant to stroll down enabling you to get a good look at the porches, picket fences, gardens, and homes filled with character.  These are the type streets that I like to walk with a camera in hand.  The photo opportunities are endless.

If you would like help in finding a home for yourself in Fredericksburg or the surrounding suburbs be sure to let me know.  I'm here to help you.

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.

MARKET REPORT - LAKE ANNA...Water Access Lots 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 around Lake Anna while Orange County covers a much smaller section in the northwest area of the lake.  This market report lists the 26 water access lots sold during 2011.

Water access lots are lots located off water.  When we talk about water access lots 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 $20,000 to over one hundred thousand dollars.  Price is naturally based on a number of factors.  They are:

• View of Lake Anna
• Square footage
• With or without assigned boat slip
• Lot condition
• Community amenities (including depth of water at common area/boat slips

Things that do not determine market value:

• Whether it is on the main lake or on the private side
• County location

Of all the types of properties sold at Lake Anna, water access lots without assigned boat sllips are generally the least expensive and have depreciated substantially during the recent recession.

Information obtain from the Metropolitan Regional Information System (MRIS) and is deemed to be reliable. 

MARKET REPORT - LAKE ANNA...Waterfront Lots SOLD in Louisa County 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 around Lake Anna while Orange County covers a much smaller section in the northwest area of the lake.  This market report lists the 24 waterfront lots sold during 2011. 

Waterfront lots are located along the shore.  When we talk about waterfront lots we are actually including three categories:

1. Waterfront - Direct access to the lake
2. Shared Waterfront - Generally at the back of a cove where 4-5 lots share a limited amount of shoreline with joined boat slips rather than individual docks)
3. Park Waterfront - Located next to the common area within the subdivision.  The lot has access through the common area to the lake and does not have separate shoreline for boatshelter, etc.  It probably has a boat slip in the common area.

Prices generally range from below $100,000 to several hundred thousand dollars for appoximately one acre of land.  Price is naturally based on a number of factors.  They include:

• View of Lake Anna - Not all waterfront lots have house sites with views of the water
• Amount of shoreline
• Depth of water
• Location - Amount of boat traffic, unobstructed view,
• Lot condition - degree of slope to water
• A boat shelter or dock
• Community amenities

Things that do not determine market value:

• Whether it is on the main lake or on the private side
• County location

Waterfront lots have had to compete with resale homes which have undergone a fair amount of depreciation.  As a result, many buyers are foregoing the purchase of a lot, deciding on a house plan, and going through the actual process of new home construction.  There has also been a decrease in the number of builders constructing spec homes on waterfront lots during the recent downturn in the real estate market.

Information obtained from the Metropolitan Regional Information System (MRIS) and is deemed to be reliable. 

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