One of the tenets of being a professional REALTOR® is knowing your market. How can someone possibly help their client buy a property in an area that is unknown to them 75-100 miles away in a very different environment? I often ask myself this question when I receive calls from agents some distance away asking for information on property here at Lake Anna.  They have never been here and yet plan to work with clients interested in buying at the lake.  One day I received a request from an assistant to a "high producing" Northern Virginia agent.  I was asked to do a CMA for Lake Anna.  Lake Anna is 17 miles long with over 250 miles of shoreline and pproximately 120 subdivisions.  We sell waterfront homes, water view homes, access homes, waterfront lots, water view lots, and water access lot... 01/06/2009

After reading the following post by Lizette Fitzpatrick, http://activerain.com/blogsview/770679/A-November-Evening-At-The-Kentucky-River-Palisades, I was almost hesitant to share my Fall Fotos of Lake Anna but here goes.     If (seriously, no pressure Best Friend) you would like to see more pictures of Lake Anna please check out one of my other posts, http://activerain.com/blogsview/781559/My-Active-Rain-Eyes-Got-an-Eyeful, and you will see why I had such a good time that afternoon.  __________________________________________________________________________________________________   If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, a... 11/24/2008

Are many of us really looking forward to winter?  I do and I don't...mostly don't.  However, year after year it shows up anyway right after fall. Ah, fall.  Last Friday my husband,, Jim and I took our Tritoon out for a cruise.  We were headed to Sturgeon Creek Marina to have "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" detailed.* Having been on Active Rain long enough to know that one goes nowhere, absolutely nowhere, without a camera I of course had mine.  A total of 217 pictures where taken during out five mile cruise.  Wait a minute, how could that possibly happen.  Well, all you need are the following: Reflections in the Water Doubling the Spectacular Colors and Images Loads of Pretty Waterfront Homes    Absolutely Beautiful Blue Water   Boat Houses Galore Just Sitting Around Posing An Ocassional F... 11/09/2008

It is exactly 50 years ago that I became old enough to vote for the President of the United States.  That was in 1958 when I turned 21.  I had to wait two years in order to exercise that right. This year, 2008, there are actually two days when I can express my preference.  On February 12th I voted in the primary here in Virginia.  It was the first time that I was ever voted for a woman for president.  I did not vote for just any woman.  My vote went to someone that I believed was more than capable of holding that high office.  I still do.  My candidate did not survive the primaries and the caucases.  My feeling of loss was deep and sincere. Much has happened since I cast my vote.  During that time I had an opportunity to learn more about my candidates opponent.  Through this process I b... 10/30/2008

During the recent hurricane season I spent some time in Louisiana as a Red Cross volunteer.  While down there I was able to keep in touch by e-mail on my laptop which I had taken and on my Blackberry.  Although I was in constant touch it was not quite the same as when I had been away from the office on extended trips in the past.  Before I had two agents that helped me as backups.  Even if they did not have to do anything for me while I was gone, it was a great feeling just knowing they were there.  This last time they were not, both casualties of the slow down in real estate. Not having the support of that backup made my stay in Louisiana a little less comfortable.  I felt torn.  However, once I returned home I felt guilty that I was not still down there helping when help was definitel... 10/26/2008

Thursday when I arrived home I walked into the house and told my husband not to let me out of the house with my camera, ever again. (I told Rich Jacobson this on the phone Friday evening and he mentioned in a post.  Thank you, Rich.) Since I joined Active Rain I have begun looking at the world around me with Active Rain Eyes.  I've loved where we live even before we moved here.  Now I found myself wanting to know more about it.  I was seeing things that at one time I may well have driven right by.  Now everything became a little more interesting.  There were so many things I wanted to share about Lake Anna with anyone who had the slightest interst.   Everything seemed to be a possible post.  I seem to be noticing so much more. This explains two posts I wrote,  I Finally Came Home...235 ... 08/05/2008

Lake Anna is very much in the center of Virginia which makes it a great spot to live or to spend time.  From Lake Anna you have the opportunity to quickly get to so many other areas from Northern Virginia to the Tidewater area to the southwest section of Virginia.   A convenient drive from Lake Anna takes you up to the D.C. metropolitan area with all the ethnic restaurants, cultural activities, museums, national monuments, and other major attractions. Some consider Lake Anna to be in located in Central Virginia while others believe it is part of Northern Virginia.  Even the Commonwealth of Virginia has mixed feelings according to the two maps below.  As you will see, Louisa County is considered in Central Virginia while Spotsylvania is included in the Northern Virginia map on the office... 07/29/2008

There is no problem going on and on telling you all the  wonderful things that are so special about Lake Anna.  Perhaps you would like to know some of the things we do not have here. They include: No Sharks...To the best of my knowledge, there has never been a reported shark sighting.  Isn't it pretty nice to know you can just jump in the lake, swim to your heart's content and never, ever have to worry about a shark becoming your swimming companion. No Jellyfish...As much as many of us love peanut butter and jelly, for some reason we are not that fond of jellyfish.  Well, it may be comforting to know that they are not inclined to live here.  They have left Lake Anna to us.  None have ever been found anywhere in the over 13,000 surface acres of water.  No Flood Insurance...What a wonderf... 07/18/2008

Below are the waterfront homes that are currently under contract or settled between May 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008.  As you can see, a number of homes were reduced prior to receiving contracts.  There are some homes that were on the market, taken off, and subsequently relisted.  In these cases the original price may be lower than the price when they were listed for the first time. If you happen to see one of the houses that you had been considering, do not give up hope.  We have a large inventory of waterfront homes and you still have an opportunity to find one that meets your needs within your price range. Here is a beauty that is currently on the market.  Hurry before this one goes under contract.   This lovely home is located in a small community on the private side of Lake Anna.  With ... 07/09/2008

What do you do when you receive a call from a potential client and they ask you how the real estate market is?  Recently I had such a call from a lot owner here at Lake Anna.  I told him the truth.*  I told him few lots are selling especially non-waterfront, what we call access lots.  (We are selling a good number of homes on access lots.)  We have a very large inventory of access lots and the prices have come down to the point that he would probably be lucky to sell for $xx,xxx even though his lot has an assigned boat slip.  He would have been able to get perhaps $20-30,000 more for it when the market was hot. This evening I received a call from a potential buyer looking for investment property at Lake Anna.  He only wanted to buy a waterfront home to rent out.  The requirement was tha... 06/19/2008

  If you live at a lake doesn't it make sense to have some lures on your mail box?  Who knows what kind of mail you might catch. It's fun to drive around and see what folks have done to personalize their mailboxes.  Now believe me, we have some very "Plain Jane" boxes, like the one at the end of our driveway.  Perhaps that is why I notice the ones with personality. I also like the ones that may not be particularly different but the owners have taken the time to "dress" them up abit with flowers and other types of plants.  Thought I would like to share some of my favorites with you.             Everytime I pass these I think of the American flag...red, white and blue. The one to the right is a little bit country!  It makes me think of antlers.  Or is it saying to us, "so big" like we us... 06/05/2008

Friday,I was the guest of honor along with all the other mothers in my sons kindergarten class room here in Spotsylvania, Virginia.  We were greeted individually by our child with a great big hug and a paper corsage. We were then escorted to our seat were several homemade gifts were waiting for us. The children served us sweet tea and cookies. While we ate we were treated to a concert by our little stars. They sang about how much they loved us (so good for the soul!)The teacher held up a portrait of us done by our child.The teacher then read each child's description of what the liked most about their mother. It was amazing to hear what the children had to say. Some of us were only 6 years old were others were fifty. My son liked it when I let him go to Funland!(This was funny since I h... 05/11/2008

We've heard this advice many times and it still holds true.  Whether you are leaving a real estate company or have not been selected to list a particular property do not even begin to think that this is history.  You just never know when you might want to go back to that firm.  Or, you never know if some time in the future you may have the opportunity to work with that seller listing the same house or perhaps in an entirely different transaction.Treat all parties in a transaction with professionalism, courtesy, and respect.  Perhaps that other agent will be across from you on another deal and you will be needing an extra dose of cooperation.  If you have shown that you will extend yourself, others may well do the same in return.  Sometimes the agent that represented the other party in t... 04/12/2008

That's exactly right, if it hasn't happened to you yet just wait...it will.  I'm thrilled to tell you I have just received my first direct contact from a consumer through Active Rain.I received an e-mail today from someone that has a vacation/second home here at Lake Anna.  She and her husband would like to meet with me next Monday evening to discuss listing their home.Previously, I had another agent on the Rain contact me regarding a referral (which didn't pan out as my suggested list price was too low) have any of you had that reaction from a homeowner???Believe me, I would continue to spend time in the Rain even if I never received one single contact through it.  I have received so much already, but it is nice to see that this is an added benefit.Thank you Active Rain and all my fell... 04/10/2008

Spring is a time of new beginnings, a time of hope and expectation.  What a great time of year to consider a move to Lake Anna.   I cannot think of another time that gets the heart racing just a bit more with anticipation of fun times ahead, time to be with family and friends, time to get the boat ready to launch for a new season of boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming. Thoughts also turn to lounging in the hammock or sitting down by the dock. It can be a time to rest and reflect. Just the thought of drifting along on the water at a leisurely pace soaking in the sights is enough to inspire many to begin the search for a place to call their own here at the lake.  For some it will mean a change to full-time lake living and for others it will be the purchase of a part-time home or ... 04/04/2008

Spring is certainly making itself felt here at Lake Anna.  Of course that means taking some photos and here are a couple.  There is such a wonderful feeling of newness and a time of hope.The trees are definitely beginning to bud as are many of the shrubs and the daffodils are telling us spring is here.  The garden centers are beginning to experience large crowds especially on the weekends.  Of course, now is also the time when we wish we had put more bulbs in last fall.  We can make up for it now!Before you know it the Bradford pear trees will be in full bloom along with the cherry trees, redbuds, and azaleas.  Virginia is an absolutely beautiful place in the spring.Now is the time to decide what big plans you have for your garden.  How can anyone not begin to think of big plans when th... 03/19/2008

Have we seen a shift in the real estate market? Yes, the real estate market has changed.  Yes, REALTORS are working harder and earning less. Yes, properties are sitting on the market longer.  Yes, many sellers are becoming frustrated.  Yes, some buyers think the market is even worse than it is and that all sellers are getting ready to give their homes away.   And yes, some sellers think their property is still appreciating.   All these things are true.  Another thing that is true is that this has happened before and will happen again.  Yes, real estate is cyclical.  It's a seller's market and then it's a buyer's market.   The shift can be swift from one to the other.  As a REALTOR® you sometimes wonder which is the hardest market.  The one where there are several buyers for the same pro... 03/09/2008

If you ever consider selling your home think back to when you bought it.  What was the first thing that sold you on it?  Was it the location, the unusual color of the front door, the huge oaks surrounding it, the front porch with the swing, or was it the dormer windows that brought back memories of a childhood home?   Whatever the reason, that might be just the thing that appeals to the next buyer.   Recently when listing homes I have begun asking owners to write what they love about their home.  This certainly covers more than just what appealed to them initially, it also gives them an opportunity to share with potential buyers what they feel is special about their home.  Personally, I love to read these comments.  It helps me to better understand how the owners feel about their home a... 03/09/2008

This evening I was watching the Larry King show on CNN while also posting and commenting on the Rain.  Towards the end of the broadcast he interviewed Gerri Willis.  She is CNN's Personal Finance Editor, host of Open House a 1/2 hour real estate show on CNN, and also the author of Home Rich, Increasing the Value of the Biggest Investment of Your Life. Ms. Willis' take on the current home market is that it is a very good time for some people to buy depending on the area.  With interest rates where they are and the large inventory, it is a very good time for those that have funds for a down payment and very good credit scores.  (I imagine realistic expectations would be good to have also.)  She did add that it is still not feasible for many of our policemen, firemen, and teachers and othe... 03/07/2008

Sometimes you just need something to take your mind off of the current real estate market, blogging, sub-prime loans, foreclosures, and short sales. If so, here's a little something for you.  Those of you that have more than two minutes to think about it may be able to figure it out.  I'm sure there is a very reasonable explanation for how this works but I am much too tired to try.  Maybe I will let one of my brainy kids do that for me.  Here you go http://www.quizyourprofile.com/guessyournumber.swf.  Now that you have had some fun (hopefully) you may go back to thinking of how to do more business.  It is a well worth thinking about as most of us would like to have more transactions right now and throughout the year.That's not to say there isn't some good news.  Many people are seeing a... 03/07/2008