5 Bedrooms/ 3 1/2 Bathrooms
3732 Finished Square Feet
2 Car Garage with Large Bonus Room
Complete In-law apartment
$359,000

Check out complete photos, property details, and virtual tour under Featured Real Estate.

A year ago, according to researchers at the National Association of Realtors, one out of 10 members surveyed in a monthly poll complained about low-ball offers on houses listed for sale. In the latest survey — conducted in March among 4,500 agents and brokers across the country but not yet released — there were hardly any. Instead, the focus of volunteered comments has shifted to declining inventory levels — fewer houses available to sell — and multiple offers on well-priced listings.
A low-ball offer typically involves a contract submitted to a seller where the price proposed by the purchaser is 25 percent or more below list. Low-balls increase sharply when there’s a glut of properties available, asking prices are out of sync with local economic realities and values are depressed or uncertain. Buyers figure: Hey, why not? Maybe I’ll get lucky.

Based on the latest survey results, that sort of strategy is not a winning move in many communities this spring. In fact, in local markets where inventories are tight and competition for homes rising, realty agents say that buyers looking to steal houses by low-balling their offers are ending up at the back of the line, their contracts either rejected out of hand or countered close to the original asking price.

In high-demand, high-cost markets that have rebounded from recession slumps, sellers are now firmly in control; they pay scant attention to low-ballers.

Great Value in Forest Lakes!

EXTREME VALUE! Classic, well maintained home cared for by the original owners is move-in ready. The residence features upgraded moldings, hardwood floors, and large windows. Remodeled kitchen has quality Kraftmaid cabinets with extra features and Zodiac Quartz counter tops. New carpeting throughout the second floor. The roof, HVAC, and hot water heater have been replaced. The fenced back yard has two levels of decking and is wooded for added privacy. Walk to school & swim/tennis club! Complete property details, photos, and virtual tour under Featured Real Estate.

UNDER CONTRACT in less than a week with multiple offers!

 Median sales price for Greater Charlottesville is down 2.7% from Q1-2011 to $230,000
 Overall sales in the region are up 9.2% over the first quarter last year.
 Homes sold eight days faster on average compared to Q1-2011, down to 167 days on market (DOM)
from 175.
 Top three ares for sales in Q1-2012 were Albemarle, Charlottesville and Fluvanna counties.

Charlottesville Area March 2012 Highlights:
 The 186 homes sold in March 2012 was the highest March level since 2008.
 The 294 new contracts signed are 21.5% higher than the same period last year.
 The median sales price of $242,250 represents a 7.8% year-over-year increase.

The 2,152 homes for sale to end the quarter represent the lowest March level since 2006 and are 14.7% lower than at this time last year. “Our consistent increase in pending sales is encouraging news, as our inventory of homes continues to drop into twelve months of active inventory,” says Brad Conner, CAAR 2012 President. “We are also encouraged in the three months of price stability in Albemarle sales for the first quarter, despite the balancing effect of continued downward pressure on prices in the Charlottesville market.”
Are you considering a move? Contact Todd today for information on your neighborhood.

Versatility and Universal Appeal

The power of neutrals, especially when you’re thinking about putting a house on the market, can’t be overemphasized. As much as you may love the deep brick red of the wall leading up from your entryway to your second floor, or the way the bright turquoise in your home office brings out the colors in that wall hanging you purchased on your honeymoon in Guatemala, a potential buyer may not see things quite the same way. Indeed, when it comes to selling a house, you don’t want buyers to see you in the space, but rather, you want them to imagine themselves.

Clean, neutral shades lend an air of sophistication and serenity while providing a perfect canvas upon which future inhabitants can apply their own accents and personalization. Because they provide so much flexibility, neutral choices have long-lasting and far-reaching appeal.

What Is Neutral?

Defining just what makes a neutral can be difficult, even for trained designers. That’s because the traditional definition of neutral is becoming blurred. In classic color theory, neutrals are achromatic “non colors” that don’t fall into any of the traditional categories associated with the “color wheel.” These include shades within the white, gray, and brown families. In recent years, however, designers have begun to embrace a new set of neutrals that include softer, muted, lighter versions of colors found on the color wheel – shades like mocha, sea foam, and lavender. With their subtle color presence, these new neutrals – often referred to as complex colors – provide the same versatility and universal appeal of traditional neutrals while adding a heightened level of dynamism and broaden your choices considerably.

Moving Beyond “Boring Beige”

“People are expanding their understanding of what neutral is now,” says Jessica Bantom, President of Bantom Designs in Bowie, Maryland, and a member of the International Association of Color Consultants. “You used to think of just boring beige,” Bantom continues, “but today there are a lot of richer neutrals, and people are becoming more aware of the fact that neutrals can contain any color.”

Author and art gallery owner Stephanie Hoppen agrees. In her book, Perfect Neutrals: Color You Can Live With, Hoppen devotes entire chapters to off-whites, grays and other neutrals, and the degrees of dimension they can add to interior spaces. “A room created in the palest, milkiest shades of off-white doesn’t have to be monotone,” she writes, “but can have surprising richness and depth.”

Neutral Nuances – Dialing Up and Dialing Down

Whether you opt for a more traditional taupe or a newer neutral like pistachio is up to you. Do bear in mind, though, that different neutrals make sense for different spaces. Lighter shades lend an airy feel, making them great for small spaces like bathrooms and hallways. Darker shades, meanwhile, can help bring a cozy feel to an especially large room. A room’s function within the house also provides clues about whether to opt for a warmer or cooler neutral. A creamy antique white with hints of yellow or orange adds a comfortable feel to a social space like the kitchen, for example , while a cooler shade of gray lends a sense of uncluttered calm to a small office or den intended to serve as a quiet, peaceful retreat.

You Don’t Have to Go It Alone

Though having options is never a bad thing, the staggering array of neutrals you have to choose from today may seem overwhelming. If you don’t know or are unsure, ask for help. A Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate sales associate can provide useful insight, as can experts at your local hardware store or home decorating outlet. Magazines, like Better Homes and Garden, or Web sites like bhg.com, can provide ideas and serve as inspiration. When you see a room that looks appealing, mark the page and match the wall color at the store. And consider conducting a trial run. Purchase the smallest size can of paint available in a neutral you like, and try it out on a small area of one wall. This makes it easy to change course if necessary – or to go ahead and commit to the full gallon if you like what you see.

Updated, well maintained colonial home on a lot that adjoins expansive common area. Highlights include: spacious kitchen with granite counters, hardwood floors, Plantation Shutters, crown molding, built-in bookcase, and large master bedroom with bay window. Newly stained deck and terrace patio offer additional living space. Walk to Hollymead Elementary and South Clubhouse and pool. Comprehensive 1 year Home Warranty. Excellent Value! Complete property details, photos, and virtual tour under Featured Real Esate.

Friday, April 27 – No BS! Brass Band

Friday, May 4 – Skip Castro

Friday, May 11 – Soul Transit Authority

Friday, May 18 – Honey Island Swamp Band

Friday, May 25 – Chickenhead Blues Band

Friday, June 1 – Second Draw

Friday, June 8 – Baaba Seth

Friday, June 15 – Indecision

Friday, June 22 – English Channel

Friday, June 29 – Terri Allard Band
Visit www.thenteloswirelesspavilion.com for more details!