Join now!
User loginLocalitiesWho's your legislator?When proposed legislation threatens the value of your home, we can help you contact your legislator. Send us a tip!Have a news item you think we'd want to share? Send it to us on our contact form! Find us on...
Tell a FriendClick here to send an e-mail to friend, co-worker, neighbor, or relative about the Virginia Homeowners Alliance. Contact usVa Homeowners Alliance |
 Alexandria cityNorthern Virginia enjoys billion-dollar home sales in JuneNorthern Virginia's residential real estate market in June had a billion-dollar sales month. That's the first time in almost three years that the region's home sales have reached a billion dollars. A total of $1.07 billion worth of real estate transactions closed in June, according to Metropolitan Regional Information Systems Inc., the area’s multiple-listing service. That’s a 9.3% increase over the $978.99 million logged last year, and is the highest one-month total since June 2007. Increases in sales volume suggest that the region's real estate market is recovering. That's good news for homeowners, who may see the value and saleability of their properties increase. Read more in the Sun Gazette.... Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 11:06pm
Four Virginia cities make Money Magazine's top 100 best places to liveFour Virginia cities are listed in Money Magazine's top 100 small cities in America. Centreville was ranked 30th, Alexandria 47th, Chesapeake 85th, and Suffolk 91st on the list. Researchers compiling the list took into account median family incomes, education, housing prices, community amenities, and more. Inclusion in a list such as this one may boost a city's popularity, possibly impacting property values in a positive way. Read more at CNNMoney.com.... Posted on Monday, July 12, 2010 - 9:06pm
Program funds additional Richmond-Washington trainRichmond-area residents will have another option for travelling to Washington starting July 20, when a new commonwealth-funded train will begin operating. The train will leave Richmond at 7 a.m. and stop at Ashland, Fredericksburg, Quantico, Woodbridge, and Alexandria before arriving in Washington at 9:30 a.m. The return train will leave Washington's Union Station at 3:55 p.m. The train will benefit homeowners who live near the planned stopping points, offering them another option to move around the often heavily congested Richmond-Washington corridor. Read more in The Washington Post.... Posted on Friday, July 9, 2010 - 6:52pm
Washington-area transit costs rising faster than ridershipLocal transit companies in the Washington area are serving more riders, but the cost to run the services is rising. For example, the cost of running Metro has grown by at least 28% over a four-year period, more than five times faster than ridership grew during that time. Access to reliable, affordable transit options is important to homeowners who commute within the metropolitan Washington area. Even homeowners who do not use the services themselves can benefit. The availability of public transportation can boost the attractiveness -- and sale price -- of nearby homes. Read more in The Washington Examiner.... Posted on Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 9:24pm
Quality of life helps make N.Va one of the nation's fastest growing areas
"There's a high quality of urban life in this area," said William H. Frey, a demographer for the Brookings Institution. Homeowners benefit from population growth, which grows the economy and promotes a healthy real estate market. Read more in The Washington Post.... Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 8:48am
Alexandria poised to approve new developmentThe Alexandria City Council is expected to approve plans for a $3 billion to $4 billion development -- called Potomac Yard -- that would include a Metro station and 7.5 million square feet of residential and commercial space. The project is expected to take about 20 years to complete. The proposed development is bordered to the north by Four Mile Run, to the west by Route 1 and to the south by East Glebe Road. "This is big progress," said Mayor William D. Euille. He said he expects a unanimous decision from the council on "the last bastion of major undeveloped land in the city." Homeowners benefit from mixed-use developments, as they tend to raise property values in surrounding area. They also broaden the area tax base and increase local employment, putting more money in the local economy. Read more in The Washington Post.... Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 5:04pm
Washington-area home prices continue upward trendHome prices in the Washington area were 9.3% higher in May than they were the same month in 2009, perhaps evidence of a housing market recovery. That's according to real estate analytics company Clear Capital. Nationally, home prices were up 6.8%. Washington-area prices have been improving over the four quarters according to Alex Villacorta, senior statistician for Clear Capital. Another positive sign is that the percentage of bank-owned sales are dropping, according to Villacorta. For the period ending in May, bank sales accounted for 20% of all sales in the Washington area, vs. about 37% its worst levels, he said. Posted on Friday, June 4, 2010 - 3:23pm
I-495 HOT lanes to open in December 2012Ground has been broken on a HOT lanes operations center near Edsall Road, kicking off the construction project that will eventually result in High Occupancy Toll lanes on I-495. Drivers with two or more passengers will be able to use the High Occupancy Toll lanes for free. Vehicles carrying just one or two people can also use the lanes, for a fee. "With this more reliable travel time, the Beltway will soon become a viable option for buses and HOV travelers searching for a better commute," said Thelma Drake, director, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Road projects that lower commute times are a boon to homeowners, and can ultimately increase the value and desirability of properties when it's time to sell them. Read more in The Free-Lance Star.... Posted on Thursday, May 27, 2010 - 3:39pm
Washington, D.C.-area housing market perking upThe number of Washington-area homes for sale last month was down 25% from April 2008, according to the most recent data from the local Multiple Listing Service. The supply has fallen in nearly all of the region's counties and cities since that time. It was down about 30% in Fairfax and Loudoun counties; and 55% in Prince William County, including Manassas and Manassas Park. Experts say that the drop in the number of houses for sale will benefit homeowners by bring supply back in line with demand, stabilizing prices. Read more in The Washington Post.... Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 8:38pm
Report details needed upgrades to Virginia's highway traffic capacityThe American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials has issued a report detailing what it feels are Virginia's highest road construction priorities. Establishing tolls in Northern Virginia for drivers to use high occupancy lanes on Interstates 95/395 is at the top of the list. The lanes are needed to help ease congestion in regular traffic during peak traffic hours. Second on the list of priorities: expanding the Midtown Tunnel, which connects southwest Norfolk and the northern tip of Portsmouth. It's the most heavily traveled two-land highway in Virginia. The project is in line to happen soon, according to state officials. Construction and maintenance of the improvements would be a combined public/private enterprise, and would be funded by tolls, estimated at $2 to $3 for cars and $6 to $9 for trucks. Read more in The Virginian-Pilot.... Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 4:42pm
|
Share this page
SearchGet updates Stories about...
assessment
budget
business
community development
economic development
education
environment
federal funding
foreclosure
high-speed rail
home sales
home value
market trends
property tax
property taxes
public safety
public works projects
real estate tax
revitalization
school budget
tax
taxes
transportation
utilities
zoning
|
