Charlottesville Horse Farms and Country Homes

Interest Rates Fall To Record Low

Interest rates for 30 year mortgages fell to a record low of 4.71% this week.  This is a decline from 4.78%, which was last week's rate.  Historically this is the lowest recorded rate since Freddie Mac began issuing a weekly survey.

The 15 year fixed rate fell to 4.27% from 4.29%.

Now is the time to take advantage of these low interest rates, as we don't know how long they will last.  Word is that rates will probably begin to rise in the spring when the Federal Reserve is expected to start phasing out the program by which it has been heavily investing in mortgage securities.

This is the perfect time use these low interest rates to refinance or for a new home purchase.  The First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit has been extended until April 30 and a $6,500 Tax Credit has been added for existing homeowners who are purchasing a new home.

Deck The Barn - Christmas On A Charlottesville Horse Farm

While the rest of the world is busy "decking the halls" and decorating their homes, horse lovers may be concentrating on their barns as well. This is Christmas on a Charlottesville horse farm. 

My barn always had wreaths on the double doors.  Inside many of the stalls had stockings hanging on the doors filled with treats for each particular horse.  Some lucky horses had wreaths of pepermint candies, although the ponies often had to share with the children and my favorite veterinarian.  The were usually treats for the barn kitties so that none of the critters was left out.  And there might be a tree decorated outside with edible ornaments for the birds.

Of course Christmas wasn't complete without riders from the neighboring stable caroling on horseback around the farms in the area.  There was usually a group of about ten riders of all ages on horses and ponies sharing music, laughter and Christmas cheer.

When you live on a Charlottesville VA horse farm the holidays are the perfect time to gather with friends who all share the love of these wonderful animals.  If your barn has any special holiday traditions, we would love to hear from you.

Charlottesville Albemarle Kennel Club Puts On The Dog At The Charlottesville Holiday Heritage Parade

The Charlottesville Albemarle Kennel Club enjoyed supporting yesterday's Charlottesville Holiday Heritage Parade.  The parade held on the Charlottesville downtown pedestrian mall kicked off the downtown holiday season.  Kennel club members accompanied by a variety of dogs were among the groups marching in the parade.  Breeds represented included Rhodesian Ridgeback, Irish Setter, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Papillion, Whippet, Shetland Sheepdog.

 

 

County panel supports turbines | Charlottesville Daily Progress

It was nearly two years ago when supervisors asked Planning Commission members to put their heads together alongside county officials, to provide supervisors guidance about whether wind turbines should be allowed in Albemarle.

via www2.dailyprogress.com

Albemarle County is a step closer to allowing small wind turbines. Wind is a good alternative energy option. My daughter, Gwynn works for an alternative energy company in Boston and was the head of the project which just finished erecting two wind turbines on Deer Island off the coast of Boston.

10 Questions To Ask Before You Board Your Horse

Here are 10 questions to ask before you board your horse in order to pick the Charlottesville horse farm that is the best for you and your horse.  

Many of my horseowning clients that are looking for a Charlottesville home to buy have decided that boarding their horse may be the best option for them.  However it is not always easy to know what questions to ask in order to pick the best Charlottesville barn, particularly if you have never taken care of your horse yourself.  Below is a list of questions that are important to ask of any horse boarding facility so that you can make sure that your horse will be receiving the best of care.

1. What do you feed and are there different feed options depending on the horse's needs?

2. What kind of hay do you feed?

3. How often will my horse's water be changed?  The water should be totally changed for clean water at least once a day.  Just topping off the buckets is not acceptible.

4. How much turnout will my horse receive and when will he go out?  There should be a variety of options depending on what each particular horse needs.

5. How many horses will my horse go out with?  Ideally your horse should go out by himself or with one buddy.  Large groups increase the chance of your horse being kicked or hurt.

6. How often will my horse's blankets be changed?  The temperature should be checked and your horse may need different weight blankets during the day with an additional layer after the temperature drops at night.

7. What people are authorized to be around the barn?  Particularly at a barn in a development it is immportant for the horse's safety that there are not unauthorized people wandering without supervision.

8. Will you put on any protective boots, bellboots etc. that my horse needs before turnout?

9. Is there staff available that in experienced with bandaging, giving both im and iv injections and other basic medical care in case of illness or injury?

10. Is professional instruction and training available and what are the qualifications of the trainer?  Find out what level the instructor/trainer has ridden or trained at.  There may be a big difference between someone who has ridden at the national level vs someone who has only ridden locally.

The answers to these questions should provide a basic outline of what the routine at the barn will be like.  As we look at homes for sale I will be able to give you names of good Charlottesville horse farms offering boarding that are located close to your neighborhood of choice.

Contact Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161 to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville.  Email Pam Dent.

 

View all of the Charlottesville Virginia homes for sale.

 

View my website Charlottesville Horse Farms or visit my other blog Charlottesville Real Estate Talk  for more information on Charlottesville Virginia horse farms, homes, events and real estate. 

 

Copyright © 2009 by Pam Dent, all rights reserved, "10 Questions To Ask Before You Board Your Horse".

First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit Closer to Extension

The First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit is closer To extension. 

The proposal would extend the $8,000 Tax Credit through April 30, 2010 and also extends the income cap to couples with a combined income of $225,000.  This is an increase of almost $55,000 over the existing law.  In addition it would add a $6,500 credit available to qualifying move up homebuyers who have lived in their current residence for 5 of the past 8 years.  Under the new law existing homebuyers would not be required to sell their current home, but inorder to qualify the new home would have to be used as their primary residence; it could not be a vacation home.

The goal of the new legislation is to help first time homebuyers, move up homeowners, while excluding speculators looking to buy and flip.  This legislation if passed could pay a significant role in keeping the momentum of the current housing recovery.  We have seen a significant percentage of sales in the Charlottesville VA real estate market that are going to first time homebuyers over the past year.

RISMEDIA, November 5, 2009—After two weeks of delay, the Senate cleared the way to pass a seven month extension and expansion of the tax credit for homebuyers. By an 85 to 2 roll call vote, the Senate voted to cut off debate on a package of measures that includes the homebuyer credit, making it virtually certain that the legislation will reach President Obama for his signature this week. 

via rismedia.com

Charlottesville Area Horse And People Barn - 93 Carriage Hill Rd.

If you are looking for the perfect small Charlottesville horse farm this horse and people barn may be a great choice.  93 Carriage Hill Rd. is located in Fluvanna County about 20 minutes outside of Charlottesville.  The front is a newly remodeled 2 bedroom living quarters with great room, new kitchen and vaulted ceilings.  The back of the structure is a 4 stall center aisle barn with automatic waterers and ceiling fans.  The farmette has almost 12 acres with 3 pastures and a runin shed.  All for $225,000.

Enjoy the video.

 

 

 
Contact Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161 to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville.  Email Pam Dent.

 

View all of the Charlottesville Virginia homes for sale.

 

View my website Charlottesville Horse Farms or visit my other blog Charlottesville Real Estate Talk  for more information on Charlottesville Virginia horse farms, homes, events and real estate. 

 

Copyright © 2009 by Pam Dent, all rights reserved, "Charlottesville Area Horse And People Barn - 93 Carriage Hill Rd".

Charlottesville Real Estate Lady At The new England Medal Finals - Part 2

As a Charlottesville Real Estate Lady at the New England Medal Finals, I divided my time between watching horses jump around the course and talking real estate.  Since my area of specialty is Virginia horse farms it is easy to combine horses and real estate. One thing about traveling to a horse show in a different state people are still ready to talk horses and real estate and as a result you end up making many new friends.

As you know when you are selling a Charlottesville home curb appeal is of paramount importance.  No matter how nice your home is on the inside if the outside does not present an attractive appearance clients will never get in to view all of the special features that your home may possess.

In the stabling area of any large horseshow, you see another form of curb appeal.  Most of the horse farms represented at the show have tack stalls and many of these are decorated.  At the New England Medal Finals we saw tackroom decorations with an autumn theme.

After seeing New England fall foliage all last week, I am home in Virginia where the leaves are changing as well.  The Charlottesville real estate market is ready for fall and this is one of the prettiest times of year to hunt for a Virginia horse farm. 

Charlottesville Real Estate Lady Goes To The New England Medal Finals - Day 1

As a Charlottesville real estate lady who specializes in Virginia horse farms and Charlottesville country homes I enjoyed going to the New England Medal Finals.

What do horse people do when they go on vacation?  Chances are it is something horsey.  And this week I was no exception.  I traveled to West Springfield Mass. to watch my daughter Gwynn ride in her first New England Medal Finals. It was a fun trip, meeting horse people from the northeast, watching horses go and hanging out with my daughter.

The first day was like any other set up day: shipping in, setting up stalls, organizing the tack stall and schooling horses.  The Springtide Farm group was all pitching in.

Of course no matter where I end up the talk seems to roll around to horses, Charlottesville real estate and Virginia horse farms.  In fact standing in the barn area I received a call from a lady who lives in Boston who will be coming to Charlottesville in two weeks to search for the perfect Virginia horse farm.  She was surprised when I told her I was standing at the horseshow in Mass.

Opportunities For Riding Lessons Abound in Charlottesville VA

There are lots of opportunities for quality riding instruction on many of the Charlottesville horse farms.

The above video shows one of the students at Shadowfax LLC jumping her pony in her lesson.  Whether you own a Charlottesville VA horse farm or take lessons at one ofthe area stables there are many options for instruction.