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.

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.

This has been quite a week for those of us living in the Lake Anna area.  We had an interesting Tuesday when many of us* experienced our first earthquake ever.  It was quite a surprise and seems hardly possible that it really happened.

Right now we are under a Tropical Storm Watch.  It will be interesting to see when that changes.

However, we are faced with the likely prospect of a hurricane hitting our area.  This is something we are more familiar with but definitely a cause for concern.  Although most of us have lived through more than one hurricane it always helps to be reminded of the things that we can do to be prepared.

Below are some suggestions from the American Red Cross.

• Get a three-day supply of water ready for each person (one gallon per person, per day) on hand, along with food that doesn't require refrigeration, flashlights, a battery-operated radio and a first aid kit.

• Be sure you have several days' supply of any prescriptions you or family members are taking.

• Plan routes to emergency shelters and register family members with special needs with local authorities as required.  Be sure to check your calendar from Virginia Dominion. It provides us with specific instructions that are very helpful.
  

• Make plans for pets. Have extra food on hand (and sufficient water as well), as well as any medications they need on a regular basis.

• Bring items inside that can be picked up by the wind. That means things out on your deck, yard, and for those of us that have docks, any furniture or "toys" there.
  

• As the storm nears, turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings and keep them closed as much as possible so food will last longer if the power goes out.

• Turn off any propane tanks and unplug small appliances.

• Fill your vehicle's gas tank.

• If high wind is forecast, close windows and doors. Close and board up windows and doors with plywood. (So many of us around the lake have loads of windows and sliding/french doors making this a difficult challenge.  Guess we'll have to cross our fingers on this one.)

Time will tell just how bad Hurricane Irene will turn out to be, not only here, but all up and down the East Coast.  Be safe!

* I had a prior earthquake experience while living in Alaska.

Tributes to dad are not just for Father's Day.  Good fathers are there for their children every day of the year whether they can be with them nor not. 

I was scrolling through some of my photos this evening and happened upon this one which I had taken some time ago.  I liked it then and I like it now.  I like what it represents.  A time together sharing an experience in a nice spot.  Sure the weather looks less than perfect and yet it looks like they are content to be together. Perhaps this is something they do often or perhaps it is something that they do rarely.  Either way it is fraught with the potential for good memories...even if no fish are caught.

There is a spot by Dike 3 on Lake Anna that has a parking lot and some great fishing.  You can count on finding fishermen there almost anytime you drive over the dike.  Sometimes there is only one, other times there might be a half dozen or more.  It is a popular spot with the private side of the lake on one side and the main lake on the other.  The parking lot is handy for those that don't have access to the lake and must drive here to enjoy it.  I'm glad it is there.

It is a spot I cross frequently occasionally stopping to talk and/or to take photos.  When I spotted these three I knew it was a shot I wanted.  I like the feeling it generated in me when I saw them together.

I'm not sure if this is a dad with his two sons but it well may be.  And if it is not?  No matter.  Dads are important and so are all of those that "parent" children.

If you dream about living at a lake, Lake Anna may be the perfect spot for you.  Many have thought so and many more will.  There's much to discover here and it is a fun place to visit and an even better place to live.

On December 1, 2010 I was crossing Dike 3 over the lake and noticed how the setting sun was to my right and to my left the sun was casting a beautiful glow.  The colors of the chairs and the flag were so bright while the sky provided a subtle background.  I knew I needed to try to capture it.  I parked on the other side of the dike, walked back, and snapped a few.

LAKE ANNA, VA

Roaming Lake Anna Roads is a new series of posts with pictures I have taken as I traveled around my neighborhood.  I've said it before and I'll say it again.  Lake Anna is my neighborhood.  All of it!  It surrounds a 17 mile long lake and resides within three counties, covering a lot of territory. 

Perhaps it also helps that I've been assisting buyers and sellers with their real estate transactions for 16 years now so I have traveled these roads over and over again.  I never get bored.  I doubt if you would either.

My camera is almost always with me and when it isn't I usually regret it.  Invariably I will see something I want to photograph as I did the day I took this and several other photos.

If you would like to see more photos of Lake Anna they can easily be found on many of my posts about the lake.

We are interested in buying property at Lake Anna and have heard there are two side to the lake...What does that mean?

There are two sides to Lake Anna and that is basically because the purpose of the lake is to cool the reactors from the nuclear plant built by Virginia Dominion. The North Anna River was dammed up to create a reservoir of 9,400 acres separated from three cooling lagoons by dikes. Water is used to cool the reactors and then passes from one lagoon to another cooling as it progresses towards Dike 3.

The private side, about 3,400 acres of surface water, is called that because the majority of the land on this side is zoned residential. No commercial establishments, such as marinas and campgrounds, are allowed on the waterfront. Property owners and their guests are generally the only ones that boat on the private side.

On the main lake, which is over 13,000 acres, you will find marinas, restaurants that you can boat to, campgrounds, and Lake Anna State Park. The marinas, campgrounds, and the state park are locations where boats may be launched. A number of visitors are able to access the lake which explains why some still refer to it as the public side.

The wonderful thing about Lake Anna is, living on either side is wonderful. At least that is my very biased opinion. The joy is to live here. Both sides are very similar other than the differences I mentioned. Property values are not determined by which side of the lake they are on. So much is dependent on the lot itself, especially when looking at waterfront.

• The important thing when searching for land or house is to become familiar with the lake.
  
• Make sure you work with an agent that knows the lake inside and out. Find out if being on one side or the other is important to you.
  
• Make sure you get a look at a number of the different subdivisions and most of all
  
• Make sure the property you select is the one that speaks to you.

Once you have found what you want you will discover that it is the best spot on Lake Anna.

LAKE ANNA AREA ACTIVITY SCHEDULED TO BENEFIT LAKE ANNA RESCUE SQUAD

I am a member* of the Piecemakers that meets monthly at the Lake Anna Rescue Squad Building.  The squad allows us to use their great facility for NO charge.  Our quilting group sponsors a luncheon annually and profits are donated to the squad.  We have invited four speakers to share a variety of topics.  We furnish the food, door prizes, etc. and invite the public to join us for a great day of food, fun and fellowship.

Quilts and Crafts will be displayed and we invite you to come and also participate in the Show & Tell if you wish.

Please make note of the information below and make your reservation to attend.  Also, remember to invite your family and friends.

 
8th ANNUAL PIECEMAKERS
QUILT & CRAFT LUNCHEON

Date: Sat., September 25th
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
 
Where: Lake Anna Rescue Squad Building
 
Cost: $12  Delicious buffet luncheon with beverages
 
Reservations: call 540-872-3345
or email gmspectrum@hughes.net
 
Presenters:  Speakers on Four Different topics!
 
Door Prizes galore
 
Show and Tell time for guests wishing to share a quilt or craft
 
All Proceeds to benefit
Lake Anna Rescue Squad

*OK, I must make a confession, as a non-quilter I rarely attend the weekly meetings but am a member and I believe I have only missed one of these great luncheons.  Believe me, they are a treat.  You'll see some lovely handiwork and you will have a chance to meet somQe super folks. 

Contact me if you are interested in learning more about the Piecemeakers.  If you haven't even begun to quilt or if you are an eperienced quilter you will find this to be a great group to join.

Lake Anna is red bud heaven.  This time of year is absolutely beautiful here at Lake Anna.  The red buds are out enforce and are dotted along the banks of the lake canals and the country roads.

Growing up in Connecticut I don't recall ever seeing any red buds nor when I lived in northern Ohio or upstate New York, not even in Texas.  Virginia has them by the thousands and I am grateful for that.  

We planted three in our yard soon after our house was built.  The woods have encroached on two.  They are struggling for sunshine and looking a bit sad.  Lesson learned too late for them.  Our third tree continues to delight us with a triumphant display of pink flowers.  Yes, pink, not red.  The buds are red hence the name.

Last week I was coming home from a book club meeting and could not resist taking a walk along Carr's Bridge over Lake Anna, to feast my eyes on the numerous red buds mingled among the other hardwoods along the banks.  Naturally I had my trusty camera with me and was able to get these shots.  

I'll have to remember to look at them in the dead of winter next year.  I'm sure they will cheer me up.

______________________________________________________________

If it's about real estate, ask KATE

540-226-1964 cell

lakeanna.kate@gmail.com

lakeannacountry.com

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