About Caroline County, VA

I must admit, I'm very sad that Ukrops has been sold!

I always felt special when I walked into Ukrops: Carrying out my groceries, babysitting, if needed, snack during my trip. And I also like the fact that all employees had Sundays off!

But I do not feel like I am in a mall like I do when I visit Wegmans!

Honestly, I don't know why the chain had to sell. Why did higher standards not work out for Ukrops when it works so well for Chick-Fil-A.

I know that the new owner will make changes - including the sell of alcohol and being open on Sundays.

I would rotate between 3 different stores: Ashland, Glen Allen, and Fredericksburg. And make sacrifices to support the store. I have not decided what I'll do now. I think I'll be spending more dollars in the county for local support.

I've been keeping up with the Changes at Richmond Biz Sense.

If you have orders to AP Hill in Caroline County Virginia, then you have a golden opportunity to purchase a brand new home on a half acre lot just a few miles from the base under $250,000! The new homes are being built in Port Royal Landing, not far from the military base. This is a sidewalk community with street lamps and half acre lots. All homes are on well and septic and the builder is ready to built a home just for you and your family. Use your VA Elegibilty or FHA or Conventional Financing. Note: Builder has a special financing incentive for those who buy in February 2010. Call for details.

The Port Royal Landing Subdivision is a stones throw from the Rappahannock River and the Army Base. When you come for in-processing give us a call and one of our staff members will be happy to assist you. Actually Don Ratterree Jr, is an Exit 1st Choice Realty Realtor who is representing the builder and he has all the floor-plans and details from the builder at our office. He gave me an overview of the community just the other day. As of the other day, there were still fifteen homesites available. You can choose from several different models ranging in price from $180,000 up to $250,000!

Just imagine, you have the opportunity to be able to plan how your new life will be while you are at your new duty station here in Virginia.By choosing to have a new home built, you toss out all the fears of buying a money pit, you bypass all the misery of waiting for a short sale offer to be approved and you do not have to get into the bidding wars on dumpy foreclosures.This is also a great opportunity to reduce the commute time to and from work. So, let me ask you. What would life be like, if your family could have dinner all together every evening?

Just imagine the possibilities!

Here is more information about the Conway Model that has three bedrooms and two full bath with a two car garage! Click here to learn more about this wonderful home CLICK HERE

This map can be found on the AP Hill Army website.

Imagine being able to buy a brand new home this cute with three bedrooms and two full baths for under $190,000!For more information and a copy of floorplan on this home CLICK HERE

Learn more about the community and demographics and area's population by visiting City-data.com

Learn what is nearby this community find Neighborhood Services CLICK HERE

Learn what you BAH will be when you arrive CLICK HERE

Search ACTIVE HOMES for sale in and around the PORT ROYAL Virginia Area now SEARCH NOW

Search all ACTIVE HOMES for sale in and around the Fredricksburg VA area SEARCH NOW

Have a question? Call Peggy James today at 703-851-3085 or contact me by email .

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty,14029 Crossing Place, Woodbridge VA. 22192. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's.

Affecting Home Sales

As I drove down Rt. 1 today, I saw this sign on the side of the road in front of Campbell Creek Subdivision. The person who painted this sandwich board is evidentially upset about the new water rates. This issue affects an estimated 1800 households. The Caroline Progress report on this issue was added to the county website in September of last year.

I admit that a $150 a month ($1,800 a year) water bill is completely ridiculous. I’m not sure what the point of the sign is, however. The message seems to be a notice to passersby that if you were to live in this subdivision you’ll have to pay an absorbent water bill. This is one more reason why it’s wise for buyers and their agents to ask for a list of utility bills for the past year, when considering a home.

Whereas I understand the frustration of the homeowner, placing the sign on the side of Rt. 1 it will do more to harm neighbors who are trying to sell their home, than to get a reasonable rate. Thus affecting the sign posters property value, as well.

The Increase

In June 2009 Aqua Virginia, who provides water to Lake Land’or and Campbell Creek, filed for a rate change with the State Corporate Commission. The request for 3.2 million dollars – yes MILLION. At the time I didn’t really pay attention. After I read the notice, as a resident of Lake Land’or I became more concerned. Thankfully, we have a septic system. Our first bill arrived and for a 2500+ square foot home with a family of five our water bill is about 30 dollars a month. The rate increase took us to about $40 a month. I understand that times are hard and I’m not really that upset about a $10 increase if it were to increase the water quality and ensure it’s access.

Real Pain

Even though my bill is only $10 more, Portsia Smith posted on her blog that at least one resident has received a bill for $1,200 for one month ($14,400 a year). There was a community hearing including a Senator and representative of the SCC. Of course the answer was… “File your complaint”. This can be done at the SCC Webpage. However, I’ve never been a fan at the pace by which bureaucrats proceed. The Lake Land’or webpage offers very little information, but a poster board at the security gates states that there is a meeting on February 2, 2010 to discuss the issue further.

Typically I take issue with the government interceding with a private business, but this is clearly an unrealistic situation. If ever there was a time for the government to intercede and protect it’s citizenry from abuse, it would be now. In a time of such financial hardship for much of America, one must question the value system of a company to create such incredible rate increases. How does anyone expect a homeowner to pay a $1200 a month water bill? With the huge number of Short Sale and Foreclosure properties on the current market, this drastic water bill will do nothing but increase the inventory of distressed properties.

File a Complaint

• Complete these steps to file a formal complaint (hat/tip to Portsia):
  Visit www.SCC.Virginia.gov
  Click: “Submit Public Comments On a Case”
  Scroll to PUE-2009-00059
  Click on “Submit Comments”

I had a family that contacted me about possibly purchasing a home here in Virginia. We’ve been talking about different communities, traffic, and homeschooling rules!

One issue is that they live in Florida, and they have a concern about the electric bill. Will it change? How much?

Obviously, more energy efficient systems are less.

Also, keeping the house at 68 in winter and 76 in summer helps a lot! You can also get energy audits for homes.

You can also call the electric company and ask for an average electric bill price for a home. But that still does not tell you their habits. If they are never home, the bill could be deceptive and be very low. My bill is usually high because I’m home all the time, I don’t like being cold, I don’t have a wood stove, and my husband does not like being hot. LOL!
http://www.myrec.coop/residential/save-energy/index.cfm

Water Sources

Caroline County has many different water sources in county.  Personally I’m a well-water kind of guy, but that’s not an option where I live.  I found a source from the New York Times that shows a list of the county water sources and links to the results of each water system’s latest test.  Some of the results are a bit disconcerting.

20 Water Systems in Caroline County, Virginia

Examine whether contaminants in your water supply met two standards: the legal limits established by the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the typically stricter health guidelines. The data was collected by an advocacy organization, the Environmental Working Group, who shared it with The Times.

• Land`or Utility Inc. (Serves 4,225 people)
• Caroline Utility System (Serves 3,656 people)
• Lake Caroline Wtp (Serves 3,370 people)
• Caroline Pines (Serves 1,440 people)
• Town Of Bowling Green Bowling Green (Serves 1,190 people)
• Milford Sanitary District (Serves 917 people)
• Campbell`s Creek Subdivision (Serves 450 people)
• Peumansend Creek Regional Jail (Serves 325 people)
• Town Of Port Royal Port Royal (Serves 256 people)
• Cedar Ridge Trailer Park (Serves 200 people)
• Ft A P Hill - Headquarters (Serves 180 people)
• Correctional Unit #2 (Serves 175 people)
• Elsinore Subdivision (Serves 170 people)
• Woodford (former Minarchi Mhp) (Serves 150 people)
• Lakeshore Mhp (Serves 150 people)
• Glen Meadows Mobile Home Park (Serves 129 people)
• Twin Cedars Water System (Serves 84 people)
• Townfield Subdivision (Serves 60 people)
• Tidewater Mhp (Serves 60 people)
• Hills Mobile Home Park (Serves 51 people)