Harrisonburg Claims Highest Job Growth Rate for Virginia
Posted Saturday, December 20, 2008 by Chris Rooker

The Virginia Employment Commission published a press release today with numbers for job growth throughout the Commonwealth. Harrisonburg tops the list with 1.9 percent growth from October 2007 to October 2008, or 1,200 to 66,000 jobs. Most of the job growth in our area is due to James Madison University and other service-providing entities.

Other locations on the list were Virginia Beach/Norfolk Area with 1.8 percent growth, Lynchburg with 1.8 percent growth, and Northern Virginia with 0.8 percent growth.

To read the full report, click here and then click on the press release for 12/19/2008.

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Luxury Student Housing in Harrisonburg
Posted Monday, December 8, 2008 by Chris Rooker
James Madison University (JMU) is an important asset to Harrisonburg. It is growing steadily, and with that growth comes new student housing communities. There are three new luxury student housing developments being constructed (or have recently been completed) for JMU students in Harrisonburg.

865 East is a high-rise being constructed on Port Republic Road. When finished, it will stand 7 stories tall. It will house 95 units and provide amenities such as a concierge service, tanning beds, and requested maid service. A food court will also be available on the first floor of the building. In a hurry? Grab a bite on the way to class! Check out more at their very cool web site.

North 38 is a resort-style community for students (or anyone, really) located just off of Old Furnace Road. This community offers a more relaxed environment, away from the traffic of Port Republic Road and University Boulevard. Read more about this community here.

The Overlook at Stone Spring is located off of Stone Spring Road, near the RMH Wellness Center. It features a modern lifestyle with pool, cyber cafe, clubhouse, garages, tanning beds, volleyball court, and fitness center. See more details at The Overlook's web site.

This makes me want to go back to school. Luxury student housing... of course!
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Behind on Mortgage Payments? There May Be Hope For You!
Posted Wednesday, November 12, 2008 by Chris Rooker
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now owned by the federal government. They came up with a broad plan to reduce the burden of loans on many homeowners in the U.S. This plan could help as many as 300,000 families who are behind on their mortgage payments. Of course, there are many “qualifiers” for this plan, but perhaps you fit right in. Read this article to find out if you qualify. You may just be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

If you are not behind on your mortgage payments, but are close to falling behind, there may be hope for you, too! The article referenced above outlines this plan as well.

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Real Opportunity in Real Estate
Posted Tuesday, November 11, 2008 by Barry Suttles
If you are waiting for a good time to invest in real estate, I'd say, "What are you waiting for?" Our American economy has historically experienced crisis after crisis. We've experienced the great depression, world wars, inflation, stagflation, market booms, market bubbles, economic slow downs, stock market bears and bulls too.  But the one thing that remains consistent and true; those who invest inteligently in real estate will over time become wealthy. 

If you are waiting, and trying to "time" the market, good luck. Wealthy people like Warren Buffet and T. Boone Pickens are investing right now, and in this economy!  No one can "time" the market,by the time you have decided to act, the opportunity has passed you by.

As a real estate professional in Harrisonburg, Virginia, I believe this a great time to invest right here in the Shenandoah Valley.  

And here are some reasons why:

1.    Harrisonburg is a college town with outstanding schools like James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University.

2.    The Shenandoah Valley is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

3.    Harrisonburg has low real estate taxes and a low crime rate with a great proximity to major cultural areas.

4.    The local economy is resilient and strong and continues to have one of the lowest, if not the lowest rate, of unemployment in the state.

5.    From agriculture, to high tech, Harrisonburg Virginia has it all.There is an abundance of investment opportunity here.

While other areas of the country have been hard hit by the recent economic problems, our area continues to be, and has been, stable with few real estate foreclosures and good price stability. But even with that said, there are still bargains to be had. So, purchasing real estate in the valley is a smart investment.


Remember, unlike other types of investments, when you buy a piece of land, a home, or other real property, you have a tangible asset that is unique, and generally speaking, never worth zero.
Contact me for more information.

Barry Suttles – Realtor
New Homes Group
Kline May Realty



 
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Chin up on housing market
Posted Thursday, November 6, 2008 by Laura Wolfe
As a Realtor I am constantly hearing the buzz about the housing market across our country. As I focus on the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County market I can see that the home owners are holding their chins high as they are not facing the devistating drops in home values or experiencing record breaking forclosure rates as the metropolitan areas in Virginia are facing.

Historically real estate in The Shenandoah Valley has not experienced the dramatic peaks and valley's in a fluciating market place, this hinges as a result of taking a more conservative approach to real estate investing. The beauty of the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County area is that it houses James Madison University, RMH, an Agriculture Community and many other venues allowing for pentiful opportunity and continuing to bring growth to our area. With a mix of opportunity and a legacy of smart investing, the Valley is truly a desirable locallity to invest in real estate.

Kline May Realty is dedicated to providing the most accurate local market statistics, maintaing a community focus and insuring the best customer service an agency can provide. Our focus is to deliver security to home owners in today's turbulent market.
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Live Green and Help a Local Cause
Posted Tuesday, November 4, 2008 by Chris Rooker
 

A friend of mine — a local high school student — emailed me earlier today with interesting information about a project she and her classmates are currently working on. Her Environmental Science class is giving away trees to the community. They have gathered seeds from their campus and have grown these trees in their nursery, and will have a brochure with each tree with particulars on how to care for that specific type of tree. Pretty genius, if you ask me. Making something from nothing, helping our community, and living green — all rolled up into one amazing project.

She also provided me with some fascinating facts:

  • Trees around a house can increase the house’s value by 15%
  • Trees next to a house can cut cooling bills by 15-35% and cut down on heating bills by breaking the cold winds that hit your house
  • Trees can also help with global warming by removing CO2 from the air
  • Trees could also help reduce stress, noted in blood pressure and muscle tightness according to recent studies
  • Trees help filter water and clean it before it enters the streams
  • Trees help prevent erosion

Interested in helping out? Click here to order a tree (or two or three!).

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