History Of James River

The Native Americans who populated the area east of the fall line in the late 16th and early 17th centuries called the James River the Powhatan River, named for the chief of the Powhatan Confederacy which extended over most of the Tidewater region of Virginia. The English colonists named it “James” after King James I of England, as they also constructed the first permanent English settlement in the Americas in 1607 at Jamestown along the banks of the James River about 35 miles (56 km) upstream from the Chesapeake Bay.

The navigable portion of the river was the major highway of the Colony of Virginia during its first 15 years, facilitating supply ships delivering supplies and more people from England. However, for the first five years, despite many hopes of gold and riches, these ships sent little of monetary value back to the sponsors. In 1612, businessman John Rolfe successfully cultivated a non-native strain of tobacco which proved popular in England. Soon, the river became the primary means of exporting the large hogsheads of this cash crop from an ever-growing number of plantations with wharfs along its banks. This development made the proprietary efforts of the Virginia Company of London successful financially, spurring even more development, investments and immigration. Below the falls at Richmond, many James River plantations had their own wharfs, and additional ports and/or early railheads were located at Warwick, Bermuda Hundred, City Point, Claremont, Scotland, and Smithfield, and, during the 17th century, the capital of the Colony at Jamestown.

Navigation of the James River played an important role in early Virginia commerce and the settlement of the interior, although growth of the colony was primarily in the Tidewater region during the first 75 years. The upper reaches of the river above the head of navigation at the fall line were explored by fur trading parties sent by Abraham Wood during the late 17th century.

Although ocean-going ships could not navigate past present-day Richmond, portage of products and navigation with smaller craft to transport crops other than tobacco was feasible. Produce from the Piedmont and Great Valley regions traveled down the river to seaports at Richmond and Manchester through such port towns as Lynchburg, Scottsville, Columbia and Buchanan.

Osborne Pike Boat Landing

Description

Osborne Pike Boat Landing offers boating access to the excellent wildlife viewing opportunities that exist on the James River. The site access is limited to launching and taking out of watercraft and is not open to shore viewing. Quiet boaters may encounter gulls, bald eagle, osprey, and waterfowl on the river as well as the songbirds utilizing the riparian habitat that lines the waterway.

Directions Osborne Landing

From I-95 South in Richmond, take Exit #75/190 for I-64 East. Follow I-64 East to Exit #195/Laburnum Avenue. Turn right at the end of this exit ramp. Continue 5.3 miles and turn right on SR 5/ New Market Road. Proceed 2.1 miles and turn left onto Osborne Turnpike. Go 6 miles and turn right at the sign for Osborne Pike Boat Landing. Site viewable only by boat

James River!

Welcome to 1606 Blair in Richmond, Va. Everything has been touched and updated, custom kitchen, Corian Countertops, 2008 Stainless appliances, Full size washer & dryer, fresh paint, new glass tiled backsplash, renovated bathroom, 2008 Hot Water Heater, 2008 Dimensional Roof, 2010 professionally installed high tech alarm system, fully front and back yards, 8 x 10 2008 Shed, and great curb appeal!

MAYMONT PARK
Maymontis a 100-acre American estate, an extraordinary gift given to us by James and Sallie Dooley who lived here from 1893 to 1925. Whether strolling in the gardens, touring the mansion or watching river otters play, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Learn more about the Dooleys’ legacy. Maymont Foundation, 1700 Hampton Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220. All content about Maymont direct from their site. Visit Maymont today and enjoy all that it has to offer!

HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Maymont’s original 100 acres are intact and retain the architectural and landscape features in place at the time of Mrs. Dooley’s death. More than 25 original buildings and garden structures are preserved.

The Normandy-style Carriage House (built of James River granite), the three-storied Stone Barn and the Water Tower were designed by Noland and Baskervill and constructed in the early 20th century. These principal buildings (in addition to the three-storied Garage, a granite compost house, chicken coop and gatehouse) all were connected by the old service road that begins at Maymont’s Hampton Street entrance. Arrayed along a high ridge, this village-like assemblage of picturesque outbuildings would have been visible to guests entering along the magnolia-lined drive. These buildings have been adaptively renovated as public spaces and for institutional use.

Other original structures can be found throughout the estate. They include the Dooleys’ Doric temple-style mausoleum, gates, bridges and gazebos of differing styles including Italian Neoclassical, Victorian and rustic or Adirondack.  From the Maymont Website link above..

Maymont!

Stunning Custom Golf Frontage Home in Fords Colony!

This stately and elegant custom Fords Colony home is nestled on the 7th tee box at Fords Colony in Historic Williamsburg Virginia surrounded by extensive landscape design. The home is spacious and bright with hardwoods, heavy moldings, 3 piece crown molding in every room, custom white kitchen, master downstairs, spacious in-law suite downstairs, massive vaulted foyer,  amazing bridge to upstairs bedroom, reinforced flooring in fitness center, steel beams in crawl space, insulation on all interior walls, modern media room, fitness space, loft, huge 3 car garage, golf views.. Rare elegant custom built home built in 2004 with over 6000 sqft of living space. Proudly offered at the new price $1,249,000, a rare find in popular Fords Colony.

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A Fords Colony treasure with hardwoods and custom casings throughout!

Fords Colony is the center of it all. Located just minutes away from Historic Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia lies Ford’s Colony Country Club. In an atmosphere of relaxed elegance, our Club is where you’ll gather again and again for good times with your friends and neighbors, whether you are enjoying the club as a member or guest.

Ford’s Colony features 54 holes with three distinct championship golf courses, designed by Dan Maples each course brings its own challenges and highlights. Whether you play Blackheath, Blue Heron, or Marsh Hawk, the courses at Ford’s Colony are sure to keep you coming back. This semi-private golf club features some of the best resort golf in Virginia.

Members of Ford’s Colony Country Club also enjoy a top of the line golf academy with PGA certified teaching professionals, private member-only driving range, great dining and events in our three restaurants. It’s Williamsburg Country Club living at its best.

Fords Colony has a variety of Membership options available. Whether you’re an avid golfer that wants to play as much as possible, or a casual golfer that maybe only has time to play on the weekends, there is something for everyone. Ford’s Colony Country Club is not just for golfers, enjoy great events, dining and social activities. Join Ford’s Colony where community and
fun are always an affair.

They offer 3 great restaurants, a variety of meeting and banquet facilities, a fully stocked Pro Shop, active Men’s and Women’s Golf Associations, an array of special club tournaments and a very active schedule of monthly member Social & Dining events. Pair this with 54 holes of great golf, and are sure to find that Ford’s Colony offers something that no other club in the Williamsburg area can.

The Benefits of Membership:

• Enjoy 54 holes of golf with our featured 3 Championship Golf Courses
• Members Only Course Daily
• Men’s 18 Hole Golf Associations
• Women’s 18 Hole Golf Associations
• Women’s 9 Hole Golf Associations
• Club Sponsored Tournaments
• Member’s Only Grille
• Fabulous Year Round Social Events Calendar
• Members Only driving range and practice green
• Preferred membership rate available to join the state of the art Golf Academy
• 4 Tees Beginner Golf Program
• Includes entire immediate family

Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All content from the Ford’s Colony County Club Website and used to promote the Club and the Fords Colony Community.

People are delaying the decision to buy a home because they are not sure where prices are headed. If they buy and prices continue to soften, they feel that they will not have purchased at the optimal moment. They reason that, if they sit and wait, they can’t be hurt. This thinking assumes that a non-decision comes without consequence.

Mortgage Predictions for 2012

It’s the time of year that we look ahead and attempt to give our best guesses about the market, the industry, and the effects they may have. So, here are my thoughts about the mortgage world:

Interest Rates Should Be Stable
With a faltering economy nationally and worldwide, including pessimistic estimates for employment, there is little chance that the Fed will risk increasing rates which would jeopardize any recovery. Couple that with a Presidential Election in November and conventional wisdom, and we’ll see rates hovering in the same neighborhood for most of 2012.

Mortgage Costs Will Increase
Quietly tucked away in those bills passed in Congress to extend the payroll tax cuts before the holidays was an increase of 10 basis points in the guarantee fees on loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That will translate into .10% higher interest rates (which would be $4000 extra on a $200,000 loan over 30 years). Interestingly enough, the additional revenue is not going to Fannie or Freddie to help with defaulted loans, but rather going to the US Treasury to make up for the payroll tax cut….go figure.

The Mortgage Interest Deduction Will Be Challenged
Look for people of a certain income level to lose their write off as a measure to increase revenue. Taking away from the wealthy as a way to raise governmental revenue is politically strategic. It is unlikely everyone will lose the deduction (political suicide), but that top 1%…watch out.

Loan Products Will Expand
Common sense lending will start creeping back. Large down payments will liberalize credit and income standards. This will likely begin with local banks who are comfortable with appraised values. I’m not calling for a return to the madness, but some loans that are low risk are not being done today. Anticipate some lenders expanding their guidelines.

Don’t be shocked by a lowering of FHA loan limits and/or an increase in the FHA Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premium either. Overall, mortgages should give people more reasons to buy homes in 2012 as the economic recovery is strongly tied to housing. Given that most people vote their own personal economy rather than policy beliefs, I expect support by those who are looking to be re-elected.  Mortgage rates are low..

5 Real Estate Trends to Look For in 2012
by The KCM Crew on January 3, 2012

Predicting trends during the most volatile housing market in American real estate history is no easy task.

We strongly believe these are the five real estate items we should keep an eye on in 2012:

1. Buyers Will Return
In 2011, a lack of consumer confidence in the overall economy dramatically impacted the housing market. Buyers were afraid to make a purchasing decision on any big ticket item. By the end of 2011, consumer confidence began to return and sales increased. Economic conditions will continue to improve throughout 2012 and consumer sentiment will solidify. Once that happens, home buyers will realize that now is the time to buy.

2. Foreclosures Will Increase
The ‘shadow inventory’ of foreclosures which has been growing since the robo-signing challenges of late 2010 will finally be introduced to the market. Distressed properties sell at discounted prices. They will impact the housing values of the non-distressed homes in the area.

3. Prices Will Soften
As more and more foreclosures come to market, there will be greater downward pressure on the values of houses in the region. Foreclosures impact values of non-distressed properties in two ways:

They will eat up some of the buyer demand in the market.
They will impact the appraisal on ALL transactions in the area.
An increase in foreclosures will have a negative impact on values. This will cause more homes to be underwater.

4. Short Sales Will Increase
As mentioned above, we strongly believe that home prices will soften through at least the first half of 2012. Falling prices will force more homeowners into a position of negative equity. Negative equity is one of the triggers that cause people to strategically default on their mortgage obligations. If this happens, there could be an increase in the number of foreclosures. However, we predict that banks will take preventative measures which will help many of these homes avoid foreclosure by easing the requirements in the short sale process for both homeowners and real estate professionals.

5. Great Agents Will Be VERY Successful
Real Estate professionals who have invested the money, time and energy to truly understand what is happening and why it is happening will separate themselves from their competition and do very well this year.

Those who take that next step of learning how to simply and effectively communicate the market to their clients will be seen as industry leaders. These experts will dominate their markets.

Welcome to 2606 Park Avenue in the Fan District

The Fan District of Richmond, Virginia, so named because of the “fan” shape of the array of streets that extend west from Belvidere Street, on the eastern edge of Monroe Park, westward to the Boulevard. (Though the streets rapidly resemble a grid after moving through what is now VCU). The Fan is one of the easterly points of the city’s West End section, and is bordered to the north by Broad Street and to the south by 195). The western side is sometimes called the Upper Fan District and the eastern side the Lower Fan District, though confusingly the Uptown district is located near VCU in the Lower Fan. Many cafes and locally owned restaurants are located here, as well as historic Monument Avenue. Development of the Fan district was strongly influenced by the City Beautiful movementof the late 19th century.  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

West of the Boulevard,  alternately known as the Museum District, is a neighborhood in the city of Richmond, Virginia. It is anchored by the contiguous six-block tract of museums along the west side of Boulevard, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia Historical Society, hence the name. It is roughly bounded by the Boulevard on the east, I-195 on the west, Monument Avenue and Broad Street on the north, and Carytown on the south. Much of that is listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Parts of the area had been in active use as farmland into the late 19th century, and though part was notably used as a Civil War veteran’s home at that time, it was primarily developed between 1895 and 1940.It is largely populated with townhouses in styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though much of the district is residential, there are several schools, religious facilities, and other institutional uses throughout.

The Fan District is primarily a residential neighborhood consisting of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century homes. It is also home to Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park Campus, several parks, tree lined avenues and three of the city’s historical monuments. The District also has numerous houses of worship, and locally owned businesses and commercial establishments. The Fan borders and blends with the Boulevard, the Museum District, and the Carytown district. Main east-west thoroughfares include Broad Street, Grace Street, Monument Avenue, Patterson Avenue, Grove Avenue, Main Street and Cary Street. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Fan District is located in the City of Richmond, Virginia.

The Tuscan Villas Richmond was designed in 1928 by Richmond architect Bascom Rowlett, the architect of other well-appointed  apartment buildings such as Rixey Court on Monument Avenue and The English  Village on Grove Avenue.  The Tuscan Villas Richmond were converted to condominiums in the 1980’s. The building is one of the  best examples of Mediterranean influenced  architecture in Richmond. It is a three-story building with a plain stucco finish  and a low-pitched clay tile roof. Four ells create three courtyards with crepe  myrtle and liriope lined paths. Decorative sculpture, recessed loggias, iron  balconies, and cartouches, and the sun-scorched yellow stucco and verdigris  trim paint add to the building’s Italian allure. The five building segments are  named for regions in Tuscany: the Lucca, The Siena, The Leghorn, The Florence,  and The Pisa. From the Historic Richmond Foundation

The Fan is a district of Richmond, Virginia, so named because of the “fan” shape of the array of streets that extend west from Belvidere Street, on the eastern edge of Monroe Park, westward to the Boulevard. (Though the streets rapidly resemble a grid after moving through what is now VCU). The Fan is one of the easterly points of the city’s West End section, and is bordered to the north by Broad Street and to the south by 195). The western side is sometimes called the Upper Fan and the eastern side the Lower Fan, though confusingly the Uptown district is located near VCU in the Lower Fan. Many cafes and locally owned restaurants are located here, as well as historic Monument Avenue. Development of the Fan district was strongly influenced by the City Beautiful movementof the late 19th century.  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

West of the Boulevard,  alternately known as the Museum District, is a neighborhood in the city of Richmond, Virginia. It is anchored by the contiguous six-block tract of museums along the west side of Boulevard, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia Historical Society, hence the name. It is roughly bounded by the Boulevard on the east, I-195 on the west, Monument Avenue and Broad Street on the north, and Carytown on the south. Much of that is listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Parts of the area had been in active use as farmland into the late 19th century, and though part was notably used as a Civil War veteran’s home at that time, it was primarily developed between 1895 and 1940.It is largely populated with townhouses in styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though much of the district is residential, there are several schools, religious facilities, and other institutional uses throughout.

The Fan District is primarily a residential neighborhood consisting of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century homes. It is also home to Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park Campus, several parks, tree lined avenues and three of the city’s historical monuments. The District also has numerous houses of worship, and locally owned businesses and commercial establishments. The Fan borders and blends with the Boulevard, the Museum District, and the Carytown district. Main east-west thoroughfares include Broad Street, Grace Street, Monument Avenue, Patterson Avenue, Grove Avenue, Main Street and Cary Street. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tuscan Villas Richmond is a condominium complex in the City of Richmond, Virginia.

SOME INCREASED SALES, TIGHTENING INVENTORY IN NOVEMBER

CHANTILLY, Va., Dec. 20, 2011 – The greater Richmond real estate market, including Chesterfield, Henrico, Goochland and Hanover counties and Richmond City, has experienced some positive trends compared to November of last year, according to The Long & Foster Market Minute® reports. Sales increased in some areas, inventory tightened significantly throughout the region and homes continue to sell in most areas in less than three months, on average.

The Long & Foster Market Minute® reports are compiled from data from residential real estate transactions within specific geographic regions, not just Long & Foster sales.

In November, active inventory continued to be significantly lower throughout the greater Richmond housing region compared to the same time last year, with decreases ranging from 22 percent in Hanover County to 31 percent in Chesterfield County.

According to November data, year-over-year units sold was mixed throughout the Greater Richmond region. Hanover and Goochland counties each saw increases in units sold compared to last November.  Hanover County saw the largest increase in units sold year-over-year with a 51 percent increase.

Houses are selling in three months or less, on average, in many areas of the Richmond region. In Henrico County, days on market (DOM) in November averaged 78 days and Chesterfield County averaged 79 days. The city of Richmond, Hanover and Goochland counties had DOMs of 73 days, 88 days and 72 days, respectively, in November. Long & Foster agents indicate that many homes priced competitively in the region sell in just a few weeks, a reflection of continued demand and the relative lack of supply in some local areas.

According to November’s data, median sale price decreased for most areas in the Greater Richmond region as compared to the same month last year.

Richmond Housing Market

“As we round out what has been a challenging year for real estate, it’s more important than ever for consumers to have as much information as possible to support their buying and selling decisions,” said Jeffrey S. Detwiler, president and chief operating officer of The Long & Foster® Companies. “Because every real estate market is different, national housing data may not support local buyers and sellers as they look to make well-informed decisions pertaining to their homeownership goals.”

“For example,” Detwiler continued, “we are continuing to see some very positive trends in the greater Richmond region, including increases in sales in some areas and homes selling in less than three months throughout most of the region. For consumers, these dynamics could signal an ideal opportunity to buy or sell real estate.”

“Armed with housing information specific to their local area and the assistance of a well-trained, experienced Realtor, some consumers may find that the opportunities that exist in today’s market—including historically-low interest rates and reasonably-priced homes—may present them real estate options unlike any we’ve seen for generations,” Detwiler added.

The Long & Foster Market Minute® is an overview of market statistics based on residential real estate transactions and presented at the county level. The easy-to-read and easy-to-share reports include information about each area’s units sold, active inventory, median sale prices, months of supply, new listings, new contracts, list to sold price ratio, and days on market. Featuring reports for more than 500 local areas and neighborhoods in addition to more than 100 counties in seven states, The Long & Foster Market Minute is offered to buyers and sellers as they aim to make well-informed real estate decisions.

The Long & Foster Market Minute® reports are available at www.LongandFoster.com, and users can subscribe to free updates for the reports in which they’re interested.

About Long & Foster® Real Estate, Inc.

Long & Foster® Real Estate, Inc. is the largest independent residential real estate company in the United States.  The company is part of The Long & Foster® Companies, which also includes Prosperity Mortgage® Company; Walker Jackson® Mortgage Corporation; Long & Foster Insurance Agency, Inc.; and Long & Foster Settlement Services.  Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. represents more than 12,000 agents in seven Mid-Atlantic states, plus the District of Columbia. The company sold more than $24 billion worth of homes and helped more than 72,000 people buy and sell homes in 2010.  The combined sales and equivalents for the Long & Foster Companies in 2010 were in excess of $47.2 billion. Visit LongandFoster.com for more information. Richmond Housing Update from John Martin & Long & Foster Inc.

Wonderful Port Warwick masterdown single family plan (Ferrell A) with a finished loft space in a great middle of the neighborhood location. Over 2300 sqft of living space with a full master suite, walk-in closet, 2 BRs up w/Jack & Jill bath layout, granite countertops, open custom kitchen with natural custom wood cabinets, pantry, large family room, sunroom, fireplace. Built by Wayne Harbin Builders in 2005.
Port Warwick is an award-winning, mixed-use community… located off Jefferson Avenue in Newport News, Virginia. Created and developed by Bobby Freeman, president of Tower Park Corporation, Port Warwick was conceived to be the urban core residential community of the city’s new mid town central business district. At the center of the Port Warwick community lays Styron Square, a three acre green space designed after the great squares of London. It was named after the Newport News native and Pulitzer prize-winning author, William Styron. Surrounding the Square is a vibrant retail and business district featuring over 40 locally owned specialty shops, exclusive restaurants, numerous general businesses and medical buildings. Not to mention, over 1,500 people call Port Warwick home, living in houses, townhouses, live-above homes, apartments and condominiums on or near Styron Square.

In addition to shopping and dining in the community, the Port Warwick Conservancy, the property owners association, and the Port Warwick Foundation, sponsor a series of events and activities in Styron Square from a weekly summer outdoor concert series to an annual arts and sculpture festival.

Port Warwick Mid Week Farmers Market
Every Wednesday Beginning May 12 from 8am – 1pm

Port Warwick Farmers Market

Enjoy the freshest local seasonal produce, eggs, free range poultry, a variety of fresh meats and seafood, flowers, herbs, baked goods, sauces, salsas, and preserves, plus hand made products including soaps and lotions. Enjoy the festive atmosphere of our outdoor market, rain or shine, talk to farmers and bakers and meet our chefs to learn how the produce was grown and how it can be prepared. The Market begins on Wednesday May 12 and will be held on each succeeding Wednesday though September. Fall and holiday markets will continue in October, November and December. See www.PortWarwick.com
for more information about port warwick.