About Charlottesville's Forest Lakes

Forest Lakes, Charlottesville, VA
Market Report
11-14-11

As the muted fall foliage gently scuttles to the ground, scattered into random leaf piles over the neighborhood lawns, or perhaps blown onto the glassy reflection of one of Forest Lakes many small lakes, we brace for cooler temperatures with hopes for a warmer real estate market.

So, how IS the market in Forest Lakes as of November 14th, 2011?

There are currently 21 single family detached homes on the market in Forest Lakes--counting both North and South.

Prices range from $244,900 to $599,000
Average price = $381,981
Average Days on Market (DOM) = 113
Average price per Square Foot = $150

Lori Harris has the cheapest listing in Forest Lakes--cute little home, saw it yesterday during her Open House:
2683 Powell Creek Dr.

And, here is the home at 3121 Edgewater for $599,000 that Carol Costanzo has (view from back porch overlooking lake):

There are 5 homes currently under contract.
Prices range from $289,900 to $598,000
DOM = 102
Average price = $397,180
Current Price Per Sq Foot is @ $154, but most likely that number will be less once final sales prices are entered and recalculated.

This is a picture of Mike Thompson's listing at 1124 Rustic Willow, listed for $288,900 and currently under contract--Congratulations Mike!:

Here is picture of Realtor Tara Savage's beautiful lakeside personal home she got under contract @ 2976 Cove Trace, listed at $598,000-Best Of Luck In Your Move, Tara!:

The month of October saw 2 homes changing hands in Forest Lakes.

Prices ranged from $380,000 to $474,900
$427,450 was the Average Sales Price
Average Days on Market (DOM) = 72
Average Price per Square Foot = $147
The difference between list and sales price = (-2.4%)

Within 10 miles of Forest Lakes, during the month of October, 62 homes sold.
Difference between list to sale price = (-5.3%)

Analysis:

Customary number of homes currently for sale in development.

Market times have increased slightly and prices have been correcting (downwards). But, homes are still selling in Forest Lakes, and values continue to show strength when compared to all other homes sold within 10 miles = difference between list to sales price in Forest Lakes is only -2.4% compared to -5.3% for surrounding region.

I'd like to interview for the job as your Realtor when you think of buying in Forest Lakes.

I live here, I serve on the Association Board, my kids go to school, here, and I love Forest Lakes.

Call or e-mail me, today.

Forest Lakes, Charlottesville, VA
Community Report
11-12-11

Well, another busy week in the Gaylord home, here, in Forest Lakes, Charlottesville, VA.

My oldest had basketbal tryouts all week at Albemarle High School, and made the team!

My youngest continues to do her ballet point studies at Wilson School of Dance.

The fall weather means day temps around 68 and falling to mid 30's and 40's in the evening.

Our Charlottesville Astronomy Club just held their annual Star Party @ Hollymead Elementary school. About 200 children and their parents showed up. We had 6 scopes set up and showed views of the Moon, Andromeda galaxy, Jupiter, Uranus, the Hercules Globular cluster, and the double star, Albireo. We also led them on tours of the fall constellations. We'll look forward to another grand outing, next year!

The Mrs and I are loving our fall walks around the neighborhoods. It is such an awesome amenity having these miles and miles of walking trails just outside our door, here in Forest Lakes:

The elections didn't go well for our community. Reigning King, Ken Boyd, got re-elected as our Board of Supervisors rep, which spells more misfortune, ugliness, and economic devestation for the surrounding area of Forest Lakes.

The Charlottesville Municipal Band is gearing-up for its magical Christmas concert, December 11th at the Martin Luther King theater in the Charlottesville High School. I'll be playing baritone, this year. A wide musical selection of traditional tunes along with other more involved pieces. Should be fun and entertaining!

While my exercise routine is still somewhat limited, the Mrs enjoys using the workout facilities we have in our development. Complete with all sorts of machines, treadmills, ellipticals, and free weights, a person can build the type of body they want without having to pay extra at one of the many outside gyms.

I still sit on the Forest Lakes Association Board. We are proud that we have not had to raise HOA fees while we still proactively manage our community assets. Several projects this past year included re-surfacing the South tennis courts, re-working the Swim Team infrastructure, re-paving many of the walking trails, doing an energy audit and re-toolong several of our main buildings, re-rofing some of these same buildings, replacing HVAC in South poolhouse, and renegotiating our waste pick-up contract.

Several gentlemen had tried to start a R/C flying club a little north of Forest Lakes, but could not secure a suitable site, since many of us have larger planes that require full fledged landing strips. So, it looks like if I want to fly my larger planes, I'm going to have to honor my membership and fly at the Milton Airport site about a half hour due south of Forest Lakes, in Keswick.

Yes, I have a lot of interests, and I'd be glad to share with you if you're interested.

But mostly, I'm interested in helping you buy your Forest Lakes home. I live, work, and participate in my Forest Lakes community. My family and I L-O-V-E living here. And, I'd be happy to help you buy YOUR Forest Lakes home, and to be your Realtor.

Please call or e-mail me, today, so we can get the ball rolling and you moved into your Forest Lakes home!

Forest Lakes, Charlottesville, VA
Fall Foliage 10/15/2011

O.K., so I'm on what, year 6 or 7 down here in the south, far distant from my New England roots?

But I gotta' tell you, looking back on all the hype and to-do about fall foliage season in New England and Leaf Peepers and all...I don't get it.

I mean, our fall, here, in Charlottesville, Virginia, is every bit as robust and colorful!

Just take a look at some of these pictures I've taken around my neighborhood, Forest Lakes.

This picture is along the bike path in front of the Forest Lakes South Pool and Fitness Center:

Here is a scene from the main road leading into Forest Lakes South, Ashwood Blvd:

Hey!
How'd this get in here?
Picture of my Maine Coon cat, George:

O.K., back to Forest Lakes in the fall...
Entrance to my neighborhood:

Gorgeous picture of one of the 5 lakes in Forest Lakes:

Look at the oranges, the reds, the yellows!

O.K., maybe we don't have the White Mountains of New Hampshire...but we have the Blue Ridge.

Maybe our evening temps aren't as frosty, but with my advancing years comes a greater and greater appreciation for milder climes and warmth!

And, yes, we even have apple orchards, apple cider, and pumpkin patches!

I'd love to share it all with you.

Give me a call. I'm not only a local Forest Lakes Realtor, I'm also on the FLCA Board and a resident.

Sponsored by: Forest Lakes Homes For Sale and

Forest Lakes, Charlottesville, VA--Market Report 10-10-11

There are 24 detached single family homes on the market in Forest Lakes as of October 10th, 2011.

Prices range from $249,900 to $610,000

The following are the links to the Forest Lakes active listings.
http://caarmls.com/CAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=6488595163

(The average days on market is a bit skewed because several of these properties just came on the market in the past few days.)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Since August 1st, 13 homes have sold in Forest Lakes. Only 1 was over $500,000
Prices range from $175,000 to $525,000
Average Days On Market Days = 31
Average Sale Price = $327,177
Difference between list and sale price =(-3.6%)

The following are the links to the sold listings.
http://caarmls.com/CAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=6488595161

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Last year, during the same period, July 1st to October 9th, 14 homes sold in Forest Lakes.

The following are the links to the sold listings.
http://caarmls.com/CAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=6488595172

Prices ranged from $250,000 to $580,000
Average Days On Market 56 Days
Average Sale Price = $350,357
Difference between list and sale price = (-3.6%)

What's up? What do these statistics tell us?

There are a lot of factors affecting our home values and trends in Forest Lakes.

I live in Forest Lakes, I work on the FLCA Board.

My kids go to the schools here in our development.

Nobody knows what life is all about in Forest Lakes like I do.

Call or e-mail me, today. I would love the opportunity to give you my feelings and opinions about life in Forest Lakes!