Date Archives: April 2019

Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner! There's no need to book plane tickets or a hotel room because there are plenty of great things to do right here in Shenandoah Valley. 

Our real estate agents all agree that the Valleyfest Beer & Wine Festival is one of Memorial Day weekend's best events. After all, what better way to kick off summer than to spend the day outdoors listening to live music and enjoying wine, ciders, and microbrew beers?

The event, which is in its 19th year, is extremely popular among both locals and visitors. Here's everything you need to know so you can make the most of your experience. 

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Before you start shopping for the right house, you have to shop for something else: the right mortgage. Pre-approval is practically mandatory if you want sellers to consider your offers, and comparing different rates and terms is just as important as comparing different properties. Because your rate will determine the size of your monthly payments for decades to come, you want to choose a loan with as little interest as possible. But do you know how lenders come up with this important number in the first place?

Many different factors and figures affect your interest rate, and you can't predict or control all of them. Our real estate agents want you to understand your fluctuating options when you know more about the math behind them. Here are some of the things banks and other lenders consider as they calculate interest rates for home loans:

Economic Trends (Supply and Demand)

Interest rates get higher when lenders take on additional risks, and some risks have nothing to do you with you. For example, are you buying a home in an unstable financial climate? Housing markets suffer, and layoffs are more likely during economic slumps, so lenders must take local and national trends into account as they consider their risks. That's why lenders usually follow the Federal Reserve's lead, lowering or raising interest rates as the federal rate changes.

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In observation of National Lost Dog Awareness Day on April 23rd, our real estate agents encourage the caring residents of West Virginia and Virginia to help their fellow neighbors reunite with their missing pets. Though many of these animals return home to their owners, some of them are abandoned and are discovered by our local rescue centers. After you buy one of our beautiful Virginia or West Virginia homes for sale, we invite you to visit a local adoption center and consider adding a four-legged friend to your growing family.

1. Basset Rescue of Old Dominion – 3445 Seminole Trail, Charlottesville, VA 22901 
   Affectionately known as BROOD, Basset Rescue of Old Dominion is dedicated to finding loving and safe homes for the abandoned basset hounds of the greater Virginia, West Virginia and surrounding areas. If you've always wanted an adorable basset hound, feel free to give BROOD a call while you're shopping Charlottesville homes for sale.
   
   

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In Virginia, springtime brings warmer weather, plenty of sunshine, and thousands of beautiful flowers. Our real estate agents love showing properties this time of year, as potential buyers are often blown away by the gorgeous homes with stunning gardens. 

Every year, the entire state celebrates the beauty of springtime during Historic Garden Week. This year's event takes place from April 27th through May 4th. It includes 31 tours across the state and is expected to draw close to 26,000 visitors.

This annual event has grown in popularity during its 85 years and now features over 250 gardens, homes, and landmarks. Although all of the events are wonderful, the Staunton and Harrisonburg tours stand out from the rest. Here's why.

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