Leon Bates Presents American Originals Thursday, May 7, 2009 7:30 PM,
Location to be announced Tickets, $75 ($65 for subscribers)
Share an intimate evening with Leon Bates at the keyboard as he takes you on a journey through the music of American composers. Music ranges from ragtime to new age, classical to jazz. Check the Symphony web site for location information.
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May 10, 2009 from the Lynchburg Symphony Office:
Announcing A Great Mother's Day Gift !
Great Music and Great Food (at a discount) for Mom’s Special Day. Lynchburg area families will be able to treat Mom to lunch at one of the area's favorite restaurants on Mother’s Day, May 10, followed by a concert of beautiful music by the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra.
It's "Brahms for Moms" on Mother's Day.
Get your concert tickets early, and then take Mom out for a pre-concert meal at either Grace Restaurant in Lynchburg or Benjamin's in Forest .
Show the concert tickets, and get a 10 percent discount. Then it's on to E.C. Glass Auditorium for a 4 PM all-Brahms concert by the LSO with pianist Leon Bates.
Conductor Bruce Habitzruther has planned three soulful Brahms works — the “Tragic” Overture, the autumnal Symphony #4, and the soaring Piano Concerto #2, featuring the same pianist who brought a near-capacity Lynchburg audience roaring to its feet during his last visit here in 2006.
Brahms’ music has it all — delicacy, triumph, passion, joy — just the thing for Mom on her special day. More information is at www.lynchburgsymphony.com, or by calling the LSO at (434) 845-6604.
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Brahms for Moms Sunday, May 10, 2009 4:00 PM, E.C. Glass Auditorium
Adults, $20; Students 13-18 and college students, $7; Children 12 and under FREE with an accompanying adult ticket holder.
Treat Mom to a Mother's Day meal at a favorite restaurant, then treat her to this hallmark concert of great Brahms favorites featuring pianist Leon Bates. Meal discounts at specific partner locations will be available to ticket holders, to be announced on their web site.
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Mortgage rates, 30 year fixed, started the month about 5.3% and have ended up in the 5% range. This week saw a drop of just a smiggon, That's good news for consumers, but don't expect the rates to stay this low unless the economy tanks further. Projections are that we are at the low in the cycle.
There are signs that the real estate market is picking up over much of the country except in the hardest hit areas. Rates normally inch upwards under these conditions. The law of supply and demand very much impacts the real estate market and as consumers are hit by the bug to get our and do something, the rates head higher. Normally in prime season which starts in April and ends the end of July, the rates are at their highest for the year.
Properties under $200,000 continue to be the bulk of the sales. Average days on the market are in the 280 range vs 210 last year. and have increased from 219 in February. There were 133 sales in March vs 168 last year. Average sales price has dropped to $151,982 vs $184,290.
Does this mean the price of your home has dropped by the same percentage? Not likely! It usually means that more first time buyers are now in the market and the lower end homes are the one's that are selling, so the average prices drop.
A positive we are seeing is that the inventories are starting to drop vs last year around 1800 vs 1700 this year. That is still a huge number. We now have just under 14 months of inventory.
If you would like to have an estimate of value on your home, if you are thinking of selling, call me. I'd be glad to help.
Up or down? The number of days on the market normally begins to decrease with April figures, so we will have to wait and see if that happens next month. I predict, rates will be up next month.
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For the first time in months, I really believed that Spring is on it's way. I've been stuck exercising, doing some business, but mostly inside after recovering from knee replacement surgery in late November and taking a step backwards after exercising too much.
For those of you who don't know our area of Central Virginia, we are very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, park of the National Park System, a road that runs through Virginia into North Carolina. We live only 20 minutes from the parkway. It is a beautiful area all of you have to come visit someday! We love it here and never tire of the area! And in fact, the Peaks and lake are part of my picture I use on this page.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a gorgeous stretch of narrow road with gorgeous mountain views, places to stop and views from overlooks looking out into the valleys below. Close to us is a lodge with rustic restaurant, Peaks of Otter Lodge, overlooking a lake and mountain, Sharp Top.
The lake was constructed with WPA money during the last major depression.
We have mountain views from our house in Goode and never tire of the views.
For the first time since my surgery, we hiked around the lake to see if I could do it. We used to love to do this with our two dogs, who both died this past year, both 14 years old. We miss them terribly!
The topography is not terribly steep, but you have to climb over roots and up and down some hills.
I finally feel like a new woman. I made the climb easily and finally feel like I am 80% back to better than normal.
Spring has really come this week in more ways than I can imagine and I am uplifted. FINALLY!
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Why is now the time to buy? Here are the details for first time buyers who buy this year, 2009. Why is now the time to buy?
This chart that breaks down the differences between the Original Tax Credit as enacted in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and the Revised Tax Credit as enacted in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Courtesy of Shawn Huss and Amy Karhoff at National City Bank:
| FEATURE | Original Tax Credit (2008) |
Revised Tax Credit (2009) |
| Amount | 10% of purchase price, up to a maximum of $7,500 | 10% of purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000 |
| Dates of Eligibility |
Purchases occurring 4/1/08 - 12/31/08* *previously through 7/1/09 |
Purchases occurring 1/1/09 - 12/31/09 |
| First-Time Homebuyer Requirement | Buyers may NOT have owned a principal residence in the 3 years preceding the purchase |
Buyers may NOT have owned a principal residence in the 3 years preceding the purchase |
| Income Limits |
Full Credit available to individuals with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of no more than $75,000 ($150,000 on a joint return). Credit phases out for AGIs up to $20,000 above those caps | Full credit available to individuals with an AGI of no more than $75,000 ($150,000 on a joint return). Credit phases out for AGIs up to $20,000 above those caps |
| Eligible Property Types |
Any single family residence that will be used as a primary residence. Includes condos, co-ops, and townhomes. |
Any single family residence that will be used as a primary residence. Includes condos, co-ops, and townhomes. |
| Repayment | 6.67% of the credit ($500 for the full $7,500) to be paid annually over 15 years, beginning 2 years after filing. |
None |
| Recapture | If the home is sold before the 15 year repayment period ends, the outstanding balance of repayment is recaptured on sale. |
If the home is sold within 3 years of purchase, the entire credit is recaptured on sale |
| Bond Financing |
Tax Credit is NOT allowed if the purchase is financed with state or local bond funding. | Tax credit is allowed in conjunction with state or local bond financing. |
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I've been in this crazy, fast changing business for more years than I care to admit. I service Lynchburg, Forest, Goode, Bedford City and County, Amherst, Campbell County areas! Call me!
Wow! How do you get across to someone you've never met what kind of agent you are and how you conduct your business?
I love Lynchburg and the people here. Being the best of the best is important to me! That does not mean being the top seller-it means taking the time to do my best for every customer and client I serve.
I always try to be upfront and give you the facts. I have fee appraisal experience and price a home using the same methods I was trained in to do appraisals. What good does it do to price a listing higher than it will sell for? Pricing is key in any market! Back it up with the facts! I offer a guarantee! You don't like my service, you can get out of the contract. Previous showings are exempted. No one has ever asked!
For buyers, I understand how stressful it is to move. Even if everything goes smoothly, it is still one of the most stressful times in our lives. My job is make it go off without problems, to keep you informed every step along the way. An experienced agent with a few years under their belt is key!
I know the ropes and get you through this and closed in short order, communicating every step along the way. I treat you like a friend because I hope to leave you one. Buying is stressful. My job is to make it less so and get you to closing in a house that's "home" to you!
I consider the Real Estate experience to be a personal experience so I do NOT have an assistant! If you call me, you will really get ME.
Buying or selling, I'd welcome your contact. Finding the perfect property takes time and an agent willing to spend it helping you find that perfect property. I've got the knowledge base, over 25 years of practical experience in various areas of Real Estate in the Lynchburg area from building to appraisal work to listing and selling.
More contact information is available about me off my web site www.normasells.com or my blog www.lynchburgvablog.com. I hope you'll visit me there. I have a toll free number.
Below you will find customers who have something to say about me. I always feel uncomfortable about this, but real estate is about trust and you don't know me. Perhaps you will find some comfort in their opinions!
I look forward to meeting and hearing your story!
I specialize in residential real estate and relocating buyers in Lynchburg, Bedford, Campbell, Amerst Counties and Forest and Goode, VA. I work with buyers and sellers and can help sellers find homes and relocate anywhere in the world.
Norma listed and sold two homes for us recently. We have sold homes before- but never so quickly with a minimum of hassle. She got us top dollar for our homes and we sold both almost immediately (we had offers on each within just a few days of listing). Her approach with virtual home tours available on the internet allowed us to find a buyer who purchased one of our properties long distance, from Europe. Norma is easy to work with, kept us abreast of everything, and has great attention to detail. We would use her again if we still lived in the Lynchburg area! She has our greatest recommendation.
Update-Our state has been hard hit by unemployment. We wish you were here to sell our houses- the agents here are lazy like you would not believe (actually you probably would!) and do very little.
Sarah Gregory-Marshfield,WI Kelly Villiers
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My experiences with Norma Brandsberg as a Realtor cover more that 25 yrs., and I have experienced the evolution of her skilled service throughout this period. Norma helped my family relocate to Lynchburg in 1981, and then helped us through the sale and purchase of several other homes in the area. Her skills as a Realtor range from her ability to quickly assess the needs of a family looking for a new home to her superior "hi-tech" online sales techniques which are, in my opinion, among the best of the best! I can't imagine buying or selling another home without her help! And I mean all of it!
Fay Hill-Forest, VA
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Working with Norma Brandsberg has been a dream! We were trying to sell our house on our own, and I just wasn't getting it "out there" the way I should have. I really had no idea who to market it to. We had a very unique property. Then Norma found me! She started sending us things in the mail to help us with our efforts, but she never called or hounded us. When finally I was ready to turn it over to a professional, I decided to call her. All of her mailings were done most professionally and I could see that she did all things in an excellent manner. She told me that we would have to move fast as soon Fall would be gone and she wanted to capture the beauty of the mountains with their Autumn splendor. She came out one day, took pictures, we signed a contract, which she told us we could get out of if we wanted to (unbelieveable!) and two days later she had the most beautiful website up that wonderfully captured the uniqueness and charm of our property. (She's a great photographer too!) Then 4 days later we had a buyer! I would recommend Norma to anyone. In fact, I do. She's the "only" realtor in town if you want quality, experience, excellence, and morals! Please do yourself a favor and call her if you should ever need a realtor.
Tracy & Carol Walker Big Island, VA
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If you thinking about working with Norma Brandsberg you are making a wise choice. Norma is simply the best I've ever experienced in working with a Real Estate Agent. She throws everything she has in making the sale or purchase of a home work for you. If you are like me you will find yourself drawing on her again and again for her advise in the real estate market long after the sale. If you are new to the area you will find her knowledge and understanding of the Lynchburg area extensive, insightful and accurate. Her energy and effort are amazing. I submit that you will find, as I did, a trustworthy and caring friend of the highest commitment and integrity, who also happens to be a very gifted and fine real estate agent.
Dan Mensink-Lynchburg, VA
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We haven't forgotten your kindness to us while we were in Lynchburg and if we decide to move there we will be sure to contact you. Carol O'Neill
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