Spencer's Blog

Spencer Cole real estate sales update for Winter 2009: sales are slow. I could stop there but that wouldn't be fair! As an agent I am about to close one sale on a foreclosure property in Botetourt. I am working with several active buyers who are confident and close to a decision. Them there are t...

The Roanoke Valley real estate market is slow. There is no doubt about that. Some well known agents who typically represent high class homes and mansions are taking listings for under $100k. That says a lot. To me it says that this is what is selling right now: smaller and cheaper homes. Now with...

On a personal note, I recently took my wife and 2 children on a family vacation to do some skiing. Downhill skiing has always been a passion of mine. I started when I was 5 years old and haven't stopped for 31 years. Of course I had to teach my wife and she has really taken to it. Our children ar...

$7500 !!!!  Well it's better than nothing. Myself and several colleagues were really hoping the new economic stimulus package would include the $15000 tax credit for any home buyer in 2009. Instead it looks like we'll get a $7500 credit for first time buyers who purchase a home by the end of Augu...

We have a new listing on Mentow Dr in Huddleston. It is land that consists of 2 lots. The first is a 1.32 acre parcel which is very level and completely cleared: a perfect building site. The second parcel is 9.03 acres adjoining the smaller lot. It is narrow at the road but hats much wider. Porti...

I have listed for sale a beautiful ranch just outsid eof Fincastle on Springwood Rd. It is a 3 bedroom, 1 bath home in excellent condition. The bathroom has been remodeled as well as the kitchen with all new cabinets and new wood floors throughout the home. All the trim work is new and everything...

We have been to Virginia Mountain Vineyards twice now and both times came away impressed with thier wines and especially with their There is an interesting view of the Peaks of Otter from the backside. Some people don't even recognize it! The owner is the winemaker, bottler, taster, chief cook an...

Our next stop was out on the other side of the James river (my favorite fishing) at Blue Ridge Vineyard. Their wines were good (remember my non-critiquing rule) and we enjoyed a couple of their dry reds especially. But first and foremost their outdoor party room and indoor tatsting room are fanta...

Our first stop was meant to be the farthest from Roanoke, but because of Dick Cheney's passing through the area, rt 220 was blocked at rt 81 for some time so we detoured to Fincastle Vineyard & Winery. They are easy to get to, a short distance off route 11 closer to Trouteville than Fincastle. Th...

I recently had an opportunity to travel the Botetourt County Wine Trail. It is a bit short, consisting of just 3 vineyards, but the experiences presented by each are quality and worthwhile. Each is unique and offers a fair variety of wines, some award winners among them. I will refrain from criti...