Fredericksburg Real Estate News Blog

Welcome to our Fredericksburg real estate news blog. Please find the most up to date real estate information for the Fredericksburg, VA. area, written by Tom Smith, owner of Fredericksburg Realty LLC at Coldwell Banker Elite. The secret to our success is providing accurate information to assist Fredericksburg home buyers and sellers with their real estate transactions.

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June 5, 2023

Lee's Hill Community Explained

Why Homeowners Love Lee's Hill

Lee's Hill Real Estate Site for post

 

Lee's Hill is a planned residential community located in Fredericksburg, Virginia 22407. This community is situated around Lee's Hill Golf Club, with homes spread across several neighborhoods within the development. There’s a north and south section.

 

The Lee's Hill community offers a variety of housing options; single-family homes, townhouses, and villas. The neighborhoods within the community have different architectural styles and amenities, offering a diverse range of preferences and needs.

 

Residents of Lee's Hill enjoy access to various amenities and facilities within the community. These amenities include swimming pools, playgrounds, tennis courts, and walking trails. The centerpiece of the community is the Lee's Hill Golf Club, which features an 18-hole golf course, a clubhouse, a pro shop, and dining facilities. The golf course offers scenic views and challenges for golfers at all skill levels.

 

Beyond the immediate community, Lee's Hill benefits from its center location in the Fredericksburg area. Residents have easy access to shopping centers, restaurants, entertainment options, and other services in the area. The community also enjoys a convenient location near major transportation routes, making it accessible for commuters to other parts of Virginia.

 

Lee's Hill has grown into one of the most desirable communities over the years, attracting residents who value the combination of a residential community, amenities, and the rich history of the area. It offers a suburban lifestyle with recreation, leisure, and a sense of community.



If you are in the market for a beautiful home in Lee’s Hill, visit my Lees Hill real estate website

June 1, 2023

Pendleton Listing Hits Market

Pendleton Golf Community New Listing

Pendleton Golf Community Listing

Tom Smith, Associate Broker and owner of Fredericksburg Realty LLC has the honor to list a rare property in the sought-after Pendleton golf community. Please view the listing on our Pendleton Website.

Pendleton Golf Community is a residential community located in Ruther Glen, Virginia near I95 Ladysmith exit. It is known for its proximity to the Pendleton Golf Club, which offers an 18-hole championship golf course. The community is designed to provide a golf course lifestyle, with many homes offering views of the fairways or access to golf-related amenities.

 

I have access to real-time information about the current market or specific listings in the Pendleton Golf Community, you can contact me or your local real estate agent to get the most up-to-date information on available properties, pricing, and other details.

Posted in Homes for Sale
May 24, 2023

Fawn Lake Luxury Community Explained

Why Buy Fawn Lake Luxury Community Properties?

Fawn Lake Aerial for Post

Fawn Lake is a picturesque residential community centered around a man-made lake located in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, United States. The lake is situated within the Fawn Lake neighborhood, which spans approximately 2,300 acres of wooded landscapes and rolling hills. It is a private, gated community known for its natural beauty, recreational amenities, and luxurious homes.

The centerpiece of the community is Fawn Lake itself, a 288-acre lake that provides residents with a range of water activities. The lake features pristine blue waters surrounded by lush greenery, creating a serene and scenic environment. Residents of Fawn Lake have exclusive access to the lake and can enjoy activities such as boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddle-boarding.

 

Apart from the lake, Fawn Lake offers various amenities to its residents. These include an 18-hole Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a clubhouse, walking trails, and a beach area. The community also has a fitness center, a marina, and a country club, providing ample opportunities for recreational and social activities.

Fawn Lake is renowned for its upscale homes and properties. The community offers a variety of housing options, including custom-built single-family homes, townhouses, and estate homes. The architectural styles vary, allowing for diverse and aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods throughout the community. Many homes have waterfront views or are nestled among the trees, providing residents with privacy and a tranquil atmosphere.

The community promotes an active and vibrant lifestyle, with numerous events and activities organized throughout the year. These include holiday celebrations, social gatherings, community fundraisers, and sports tournaments. Fawn Lake residents also have access to an array of clubs and interest groups catering to different hobbies and interests.

Spotsylvania County, where Fawn Lake is located, is known for its historical significance. The area played a significant role in the American Civil War, and there are several nearby historical sites and battlefields that attract visitors interested in history.

Overall, Fawn Lake offers residents a combination of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and an upscale lifestyle. Its well-maintained amenities, beautiful homes, and community spirit make it an attractive place to live for those seeking a peaceful and luxurious residential experience.

Jan. 16, 2023

Rare Rappahannock River Waterfront Estate for Taking

Rappahannock Waterfront Estate for Sale

 

King George Waterfront Estate for Sale

In all my years of selling real estate, I am proud to announce a rare opportunity for a home buyer to obtain their very own private wide riverfront paradise on 10 acres of true waterfront land. This stately brick home was built to the highest standards and is situated perfectly with a southern exposure  to the scenic and expansive Rappahannock River with the quant historic town of Port Royal directly across waterway.
It has deeply rooted history in the soil on and around the property dating back from the Native American Indians to Colonial Days where Port Conway existed as a key point of trade. John Wilkes Booth used the property to find transport across the river to find refuge in a barn on the Garrett farm. The yard was once used as a staging and camp during the Civil War. The shoreline held the union gunboats at bay. Belle Grove Plantation, the birthplace of President James Madison is next door across Rt. 301 from this oasis.
From the history, to the breath taking water views to the endless possibilities this property has to offer, you truly feel at home and a world away from the fast paced life around you. Create your very own hobby farm with already established fenced in pastures, chicken/fowl coop and stocked fish pond. Bring any type of livestock. Property would be an ideal bed and breakfast or event space. Current owners have hosted weddings, and boy scout troop retreats and large family gatherings. This impressive 5,000 total square foot Federal style home is filled with tons of character and quality craftsman's ship from the 9 foot ceiling to the hardwood flooring that fills the home. Bright and Open kitchen with breakfast nook, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and tons of storage plus a butlers pantry. Cozy Family room offers a wall of windows to overlook the lush landscaping of the back yard along with a wood burning fireplace that is Santa Approved with an extra tall and wide opening. Partially finished walk out basement is perfect for a recreation space or private office. This serene property is bustling with multiple varieties of Fruit Trees and varies species of trees and flowers. The English garden is exquisite when everything comes in bloom. Park like setting down by the river with camping space, fire pit and covered boat and water toy storage.

Dec. 10, 2021

One of the Last Waterfront Lots in Portobago Bay Available

Last Portobago Bay Waterfront Lot

 

Welcome to Portobago Bay, a quiet, beautiful, luxury community located along the Rappahannock River in Caroline County only 22 minutes to the new VRE train station in Fredericksburg, VA. This lot was purchased by an investor and cleared along with a soil scientist study finding a 4 bedroom conventional septic site. What makes this lot rare is the high placement, allowing for long panoramic views on an eastern exposure across the mile wide Portobago Bay. It's breath taking. There are wildlife everywhere. Watch the eagles and ospreys hunt fish in the distance. The buyer is allowed to build the very own dock and pier from the water frontage. The community commons area is only a block away and offers a long pier, sandy beach, dock and pavilion for gatherings. We had weddings, birthday parties, and many other special occasions there and owners may reserve the commons area in advance for the day. Lot 38 on Goose Point Court is offered for $195,000 and won't last long.

Bring your builder of choice or buy now and hold until you build your dream home. This is one of the last opportunities to own a waterfront lot in this one of a kind waterfront community. I personally live here. We love the river life. Families of all ages enjoy the peace and quiet paradise. Residents also love to walk, jog and bike ride around the 3 mile circle along Portobago Trail. We also have a beautiful fully aerated lake chock full of bass, crappie and bluegill to enjoy. View Lot 38 listing information on my site.

Please view only the lastest listings on my Fredericksburg Homes for Sale site.

Nov. 1, 2021

State of Fredericksburg Area Real Estate Market October 2021

 

Fredericksburg Real Estate Market Blog Image 

The state of the real estate market in the Fredericksburg VA area remains steady. Listings sold shows a sharp increase as of October 2021. The following report of the Fredericksburg, VA area housing market has been prepared by the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® based on a study of Bright MLS multiple listing data. Inventory is still down, though it’s up 21 percent from last year at this time. Home buyers should have a very aggressive agent to view and offer shortly after the property goes active. A nice property may obtain as many as ten offers. Usually a cash offer with no contingencies wins so time is of the essence.  The median sales price is $378,000 which is up from $335,000 last year. Homes are averaging 13 days on the market to a contract, which is hotter compared to last year at 22 days.  There are 884 homes active in the Fredericksburg area, which is up from 609 homes last year. I do expect the market to stabilize as we near the upcoming holiday seasons. The interest rates are at historic lows and are expected to remain stable for the near future. 

Posted in Market Conditions
March 9, 2019

Fredericksburg Area Real Estate Report -January 2019

The Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors considers  the City of Fredericksburg and surrounding counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford as the Fredericksburg area considering the Fredericksburg Real Estate market conditions. These market conditions are studied and compared for recent compared to those from one year ago. The last month to give comparison is January of this year.
The total sold volume was $88961, compared to $104,000 one year ago. This was a decrease of 14.5%. The number of units sold this past January was 295, compared to that of one year ago at 342 or a 13.7% decrease. The median sales price increased 1.85% from $284,725 one year ago to $289,990. January proved to be a very challenging month for real estate. There were a number of factors that created the lull. Inventory was low. We had an abnormally cold climate that resulted in fowl weather on most weekends, the busiest time for real estate activity, the partial government shut down, and a slight increase of interest rates.
I remain very optimistic that we will have a very healthy  Spring  and Summer market. The recent news that the interest rates will stay down for now, along with inventory increasing. The inventory has been low while demand is high. If supply increases and the normal increase in demand occurs like it does every Spring, we should see and increase in sales and an increase in median prices. 
I still continue to urge sellers to take advantage of this early Spring opportunity while inventory is still low. There’s less competition out there. If you follow your Realtor’s advice and price your home appropriate, you should get your home sold quickly in the least amount of time.  
Oct. 15, 2016

The Time has come to Buy Bigger

Fredericksburg Realty Blog Image

 

According to the Federal Reserve in a recent article, there is a shortage of homes affordable to first time home buyers. This decrease in supply has caused home prices to rise above the affordable rate for these home buyers. They are all in a waiting mode. Mortgage rates began to rise up slightly this week to 3.47 percent. First time home buyers are losing patience and some are opting to lease. Most area rental agreements have a minimum of 12 months occupancy. This is moving many buyers to renters for at least one year. If the rates continue to climb, some buyers that are waiting may want to wait for the rates to fall back down before they buy a home. I understand from many sources that once the rates start going up, they may not come back down to the historic levels we have now.

 

Second time home buyers that are waiting for the perfect time to move up may want to make a move now. Home owners that list their homes for sale will increase supply inventory for the first time home buyers. These buyers are out there. As long as the seller hires a savvy REALTOR that understands the market and doesn’t overprice your home, you should have a contract in no time. You will then increase the second home market that has a higher inventory now. Time is of the essence. Once the rates start climbing, I expect the market to slow down. Strike while the iron is hot. The iron is smoking right now.

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Posted in Market Conditions
Sept. 14, 2016

Fredericksburg Real Estate Market Improves

Sold Home for Fredericksburg Real Estate Market Improves Article

 

Based on information gathered on home sales in the Fredericksburg and surrounding areas of Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline and King George Counties by the Real Estate Business Intelligence network, I see signs of market improvement. This is great news to home buyers and sellers.

The total sold volume was $157,471,256 for August of this year. That is a 28.2% increase from last year and just only 2.7% decrease from last July. We had 560 closed sales in August. That was 23.6% increase from last year at this time and only 3.1% decrease from July of this year. The median sold price went up 3.7% at $280,000 and increased 1.8% from July. The average sold price was $299,056, a 3.7% increase from last year and 0.04% from July of this year. This shows that the home prices are not falling. Historically speaking, July normally holds higher prices. Lower inventory may be the culprit. The median days on the market went down 9.4% from last year at this time to 29 days. Unfortunately that was a 52.6 increase from July. The average days on the market was 65, an increase of 4.8% from a year ago and a 22.6% increase from last July. Transactions are taking longer to close due to new closing disclosure notice prior to settlements. My personal observations are noticing an average of 14 days increase.  The median price per square foot is $152. That is a 2.77% increase from last year and a 0.7% increase from the month prior. The average price per square foot was $159, increasing 4.6% from last year and 0/6% from last month. Our market is looking up.

We noticed a slower summer season due to low inventory. Activity started picking up towards the end of the summer season. I expect it to steadily increase as long as inventory continues to grow. Home buyers should plan and discuss their needs and wants well in advance and hire a very motivated Realtor that will show a property as soon as it hits the market and write a flawless contract and submit ahead of others. Time is of the essence. Check out our advanced Fredericksburg Home Search engine. Sellers should research their target area for a listing agent that utilizes the best tools and experience to get their real estate exposed to the world in it's best condition. Only a great agent can guide the way to success.

 

Author, Tom Smith, is Virginia licensed Associate Broker and owner of Fredericksburg Realty LLC at Coldwell Banker Elite in Fredericksburg, VA. He is one of the Top Fredericksburg, Virginia Realtors based of sales and production.

Posted in Market Conditions
Aug. 1, 2016

Precious Portobago Bay

Portobago Bay -Eastern Fredericksburg Waterfront Community

Portobago Bay Article Image

 

Portobago Bay is a luxurious upscale waterfront community located on the banks of the wide and scenic Rappahannock River just southeast of Fredericksburg. Take in the breath taking sunrises across the serene Rappahannock River. Years of tidal river currents created one of the widest spans across the Rappahannock all the way from the mountains to below Tappahannock. This quiet place is called Portobago Bay. The community consists of 104 lots. The adjoining landowners purchased many of the lots. Only approximately 60 homes are scattered throughout the community and future available lots are a rare opportunity. The existing homes were perfectly situated to allow the best views to enjoy. They were all built to high standards, approved by the architectural committee to meet the best formation of this exquisite neighborhood. I personally call this area my home. My family loves the low light pollution standards to allow us to gaze at the stars. The community area offers a pavilion, beach, pier, boat ramp, and Lake Powhatan. We love to fish, boat, kayak, walk the 3-mile circle and just relax. Portobago Bay is protected from urban development with the bay to our east, Fort AP Hill to our west and farms with conservation easements to our north and south. This rare community is just far enough out to be peaceful and quiet and just lost enough to be convenient for commuters to the new Spotsylvania VRE train station and the City of Fredericksburg. If you visit this neighborhood, you will fall in love, just like we did.

There are several real estate opportunities here. One of my favorites is the stately brick rambler situated directly across the street from Goose Point Court. This home was custom built back when quality mattered. Best of all, it was totally renovated to the meet the wants and needs of today’s buyer. Filled with warm hardwood floors, five spacious bedrooms, built in bookcases, three fireplaces and an expansive updated kitchen with island. There’s a multilevel deck that overlooks a sparkling deep blue in ground swimming pool, hot tub and brick patio that is surrounded by lush, mature landscape. Buyers of all ages will appreciate this one of a kind opportunity with a full finished basement and workshop area. The current owners love the location, which is directly across the street from the community commons area, only several hundred yards to the sandy, fresh water beach. Designed for entertaining as well as every day living. The listing a full details are located here. View the tour here.

The next property is located on 1,000 feet of riverfront on Goose Point Court. This 4-bedroom cape cod home offers wide panoramic views with eastern exposures across the Rappahannock River. Home offers over 3,700 sq.ft. of finished space that is filled with hardwood floors. The kitchen was recently remodeled with solid black granite counters, custom cherry cabinets, a wine cooler and stainless steel appliances. This home is designed for entertaining. There’s even your very own boathouse and dock with this one of a kind estate. You may view listing here. (SOLD)

And finally, there is a rare real estate opportunity with a custom built and totally updated original Portobago Bay Homestead on one of the largest lots in our community on over 16 acres in two lots. Lush mature green landscape invites the owners of this unique property. Boasting over 1,400 sqft with hardwood floors, newer roof, vinyl insulated windows, classic white appliances, a huge unfinished walk up attic perfect for study, a wood stove, sunroom and two sheds and a three car port. This home is tucked away with no neighbors in site.  You may view the listing here.(SOLD)