About Page County, VA

Keeping Home Owners in Homes They Can't Afford is NOT the Answer

Our national housing market is still a wreck from the subprime lending fiasco. Some local real estate markets, like the one I work in Northern Virginia, have stabilized and seen some modest increases in value, but that doesn't mean an end to Short Sales and Foreclosures as interest only loans adjust. All too often, the banks that gave out the loans are vilified and our society begs for ways to keep home owners in homes they simply could not, and can not afford. THIS DOES NOT REFER TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE FALLEN ON TEMPORARY HARDSHIPS LIKE A JOB LOSS.

The fact that interest rates are at an all-time low have many who love the homes they bought on their 100% financed, interest only loans begging for ways to refinance so they can stay in their homes. The adjustment to principal AND interest payments that occrus on these loans can devastate a family's finances. But does that mean the government should step in and MAKE the banks work with these families to stay in them?

I sell homes for a living, but I am not going to pander to the opinion that everyone who got sucked into a subprime loan needs every opportunity to stay in a home they can not afford.

When proposals are floated to reduce principal and keep families in a home they paid a 2005 price for and financed on a loan where NONE of the principal balance of the loan was calculated in the monthly payments, you are essentially trying to renegotiate a home's price. And why should someone who paid that price, but chose a crappy loan get the principal reduced? That's asking for widespread economic chaos when home owners who have made responsible choices, paid the 2005 price for a home and were able to finance on a 30 year fixed rate, principal and interest loan, want the same treatment.

You can't reduce the price someone paid for a home after the fact because they only way they could afford it was to pay interest only on the loan. You can't reduce the price someone paid for a home after the fact because the market crashed.

As consumers we need to get back to basics. We need to stop buying things we can't afford, be it a home, car or purse. We have to put an end to buying things we don't need. We need to save money and stop living beyond our means thanks to VISA, MasterCard and American Express. Novel concept, right?

The NAR ad that runs on TV every evening when I'm watching cable news programs implies that there are outside forces threatening home ownership. The reality is that we threaten our OWN ability to afford a home when we make poor financial decisions. We can't expect the government or outside forces to pick us up and make it right when we buy something we can't afford. We need to realize that we are responsible for the decisions we make, good and bad. Sometimes, we have to pay the consequences and learn the tough lessons in life. If not, we are doomed to repeat them.

The Hawksbill Greenway is a gem in the downtown area of Luray, VA! Built along the Hawksbill Creek in the town of Luray, the Greenway is a great place to enjoy some peace and quiet, watch the local wildlife along the creek, or go for a walk or jog along this 4-mile trail.

The Greenway has brought life back to the downtown area and has won multiple awards for its design and preservation of a scenic waterway. This project brought many area organizations together and through their efforts have created an asset the residents of Luray and Page County, Virginia can be pround of.

Click Here to Visit Hawksbill Greenway Foundation Website

For a tour of Luray, Virginia and Available Homes in the Northern Shenandoah Valley,

Call Craig Alexander, Weichert, Realtors® 540-671-6082

Listing and Selling the Northern Shenandoah Valley Since 1990.

Click Here to Visit My Website

Craig Alexander, Weichert, Realtors®, 824 John Marshall Hwy, Front Royal, VA 22630

Great buy on this charming, extremely well cared for 1913 home located on Cave Street in Luray, Virginia! Listed for $189,500, this home spent 66 days on the market and just sold for $180,000!

Easy walking distance to downtown shops, schools, library and the 2-mile Hawksbill Greenway! Recently refinished hardwood floors, formal dining room with pocket door, finished lower level rec room, walk-up attic, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, much more!

FOR A TOUR OF LURAY, VIRGINIA AND AVAILABLE HOMES IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY,

CALL CRAIG ALEXANDER, WEICHERT, REALTORS® 540-671-6082

Listing and Selling the Northern Shenandoah Valley since 1990.

Click Here To View Properties For Sale in Luray, Virginia

Click Here To View My Website

Craig Alexander, Weichert, Realtors®, 824 John Marshall Hwy, Front Royal, VA 22630

After negotiating shorts sales with 99% success, I find not all will negotiate 6% commission. How do you fight for the 6% commission? Love to hear your thoughts or strategies.

Virginia is full of natural and manmade wonders! From the Natural Bridge to Smith Mountain Lake, there is no end to all the wonderful things to see and do in Virginia. Nestled in the Shenandoah National Park, north of Roanoke, is Luray Caverns. Discovered in 1878, the Luray Caverns are breathtaking! Rock formations "sing" and bridal veils, the formations are as amazing as the day they were discovered!

It all started with a sink hole. A gust of air from a limestone sinkhole blew out a candle held by Andrew Campbell as he and friends were looking for caves in the area. What they ended up discovering was the largest series of caverns on the East. Purchasing the land at public auction, the men began to prepare the cave for visitors. The rest is history!

In 1880 The Smithsonian Institution sent nine scientists to examine the cavern system. They were amazed at the stalactite and stalagmite formations they found. One of the most popular formations is the Stalacpipe Organ! Located in the Cathedral, you really can play music on these stalactites! Using a system of electronically controlled rubber mallets you can hear the rocks make music! It has even been featured on Ripley's Believe it or Not!

Giant Hall, Titania's Veil, Dream Lake, and Fried Eggs are just a few of the other amazing cave formations you can see when you visit Luray Caverns. It is about a 2 hour drive from Bedford, Virginia, but well worth the drive! There is so much to do in the area you may need to just plan your vacation to Bedford!

Come for a visit, if you like it, then move here! If you want to live in a land of natural and manmade beauty, call Vicki Millehan! A long time resident of Smith Mountain Lake and local real estate expert! From a winery to luxury waterfront homes, she can help you find your own piece of Virginia!