Keswick, VA

One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is to attend the annual Blessing of the Hounds at Grace Episcopal Church in Keswick, Virginia. This outdoor service is held at the beautiful stone Grace Church which was constructed in 1896. The origional church on the site was built in 1745 and burned in 1785.

The members of the Keswick Hunt attired in their full livery and mounted on their horses are surrounded by the pack of foxhounds. The service includes prayers for blessing and protection of the hounds and hunters as well as thanks for the harvest. After the service spectators can walk across the road and witness the start of the hunt.

The first annual Blessing of The Hounds at Grace Episcopal Church was held on Thanksgiving Day in 1929. This ceremony goes back to Saint Herbert who was the patron saint o hunters and lived in 8th century France.

Blessing of the Hounds
November 27, 2008, 10:00-12:30
Grace Episcopal Church
Gordonsville Road
Keswick, Virginia

Contact Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161, pam@JumpintoGreenerPastures.com, to list your property for sale or to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Troy, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville.

To view all of the Charlottesville, Virginia and Central Virginia Homes for Sale click here and click on the mls search button.

Visit my other blog Charlottesville Horse Farms and Country Homes for information on Charlottesville area homes and the Central Virginia real estate market.

Albemarle County Virginia Real Estate - (YTD Nov 4, 2008)

When you are looking for Charlottesville Real Estate remember that Charlottesville is in Albemarle County. We have grand estates and horse farms in Albemarle. The back roads will give you a feeling of peace and harmony as you drive by these beautiful properties. When you are ready to tour, just give me a call, it is my favorite thing to do in our area.

Albemarle County Virginia Home Information

The Real Estate market everywhere is constantly changing and Charlottesville and Albemarle are no exception.

• In Albemarle we have SOLD 972 HOMES.
• There are currently 1003 HOMES on the market.
• Our average DOM (Days on the Market) is at 109 Days .
• Our Average selling price is $450,846.

We have some excellent neighborhoods to see like:

Glenmore Foxchase Old Trail Forest Lakes Dunlora

Click Here for a link to other Great Neighborhoods in our area!

Please visit my website at Charlottesville Real Estate for details about our area and other homes on the market in Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the surrounding counties!

Nelson, Greene, Madison, Fluvanna, Orange and Louisa

Please look at our local phonebook for contact information on local companies.

Come visit and tour our area anytime!

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About The Author

Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his team of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our team anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate

Copyright © 2008 Charles McDonald, All Rights Reserved.

Keswick, Virginia located just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia has once again been acclaimed as a very special place in which to live. Today the New York Times published an article titled Pastoral Landscapes and Upscale Retreats by Stephen Wells touting the advantages of enjoying the keswick lifestyle. According to the article Keswick is popular as a second home location as well as for a premanent residence.

Mr Wells describes Keswick as an area of "green pastures of horse, cattle and sheep farms. It's this image of upscale rural America that best defines Keswick and its surrounding communities." In addition to farms and estates, Keswick boasts two gated communities Glenmore and Keswick Estates. Both of these communities posess lovely homes and country clubs with golf courses. The Glenmore community also has an adjoining equestrian center.

Contact Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161 , pam@JumpintoGreenerPastures.com, to list your property for sale or to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Troy, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville.

To view all of the Charlottesville, Virginia and Central Virginia Homes for Sale click here and click on the mls search button.

Visit my website Jump into Greener Pastures or read my blogs Charlottesville Real Estate Talk and Charlottesville Horse Farms and Country Homes for information on Charlottesville and Central Virginia and the local real estate market.

Well the New York Times has again discovered Charlottesville, Keswick and Glenmore!

(photo from the New York Times)

Now I have been telling you about our great Charlottesville neighborhoods for the last couple years and finally we are getting some National exposure.

Read what the NY Times has to say here: Pastoral Landscapes and Upscale Retreats

Now they go into a lot of detail and even talk about how Keswick Estate was developed by Orient-Express (a discussion I have while touring with my clients).

I just love that the "Cons" of our area mentions only that we are not near a major body of water.

This may be a negative for some people, but my clients who have moved from New Orleans and Florida tend to feel it is a little more secure. I have a really good client/friend who says "I can always visit the ocean and then leave it behind" about a 3 hour drive...

The New York Times did miss a couple of great areas and I invite them (and you) to contact me next time they are in town. I am sure that they would love my tour but they better leave the checkbook at home or they may buy a 2nd home!!!

About The Author

Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agentis the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his team of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our team anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate

Copyright © 2008 Charles McDonald, All Rights Reserved.

"The Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors released its housing market report last Friday.

Sales are still behind from last year, and the number of houses for sale is still too high, according to the report.

However, people are having no trouble selling higher-end properties in parts of Albemarle County.

The head of the Association of Realtors says it will be a buyer's market until 2009."

Homes are still moving in our area and I am out with clients most days showing and listing properties. It seems that there are a lot of part time agents who are not seeing much activity.

I for one want to thank my clients and friends for all the referrals this year!!!

Without your support it would be much more challenging.