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PO Box 643
Richmond, VA 23286-0572

Goochland County struggles to develop as planned

Goochland County officials, keen on increasing development, have their eyes on th Tuckahoe Creek Service District.The 7,800-acre water and sewer district was funded with $63 million borrowed eight years ago from the Virginia Resources Authority. It was to be repaid through taxes boosted by anticipated commercial growth.

That growth has not materialized, leaving officials and landowners squabbling over how to move forward. Some are pushing for purely commercial development, while others say mixed-use development will work better.

Any kind of development will likely benefit homeowners in the area. The influx of capital and a broader tax base could stimulate the local economy, improving services and lifting the value of nearby homes.

Posted on Monday, July 19, 2010 - 8:56pm

Goochland County relies on cuts to balance its budget

Goochland County officials avoided tax increases by slashing expenses to balance the county budget. The county's general fund will be 8.6% smaller than last year's.

Some of the cuts include library hours, recreation programs, and curbside recycling The school system saw its budget reduced 13.7%.

Read more from The Richmond Times-Dispatch....

Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - 7:24pm

Homeowners at risk for foreclosure offered free counseling in Richmond

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia Inc., and the city of Richmond will co-sponsor a clinic for homeowners who may be at risk of foreclosure. Free foreclosure and fraud-prevention counseling will be offered, and homeowners will get to meet with a HUD-approved counseling agency to work on solutions to help them stay in their homes.

According to February data from McDash Analytics, 5.85% of the loans in Richmond area were more than 90 days past due. The average for Virginia is 4.92%.

Read more in the Richmond Times-Dispatch....

Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 8:27pm

Martin’s to increase workforce

Martin's expects to hire up to 150 new employees as it takes over former Ukrop's stores in the region. Information about salaries has not been released.

An increase in employment is good for the housing market, as it encourages prospective homeowners to make offers and helps current homeowners pay their mortgages, keeping homes out of foreclosure.

Posted on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - 10:01pm

Local governments dig deep to balance their budgets

Local agencies -- from schools to cooperative extension offices -- are feeling the pinch as cities and counties work to balance their budgets. Homeowners will also feel the pinch, through higher taxes, fewer services, or both.

Local governments in Virginia making tough decisions to balance budgets

Statewide, counties and cities are pulling out all the stops to find the funds needed to keep their schools and government services up and running. Some are cutting jobs and salaries, many are cutting back on programs, and others are looking for extra money in unusual places.

Read more in the local news outlets below:

York School Board passes $115 million budget Monday night (Daily Press)

Beach weighs options to save ailing golf courses (The Virginian-Pilot)

Roanoke tries to cut $10 million from city budget (The Roanoke Times)

Clearbrook fire and rescue station would welcome $93,600 (The Roanoke Times)

Pittsylvania County Supervisors talk finances (The Danville Register & Bee)

Campbell Co. School Board approves budget with school closure, job cuts (Lynchburg News & Advance)

County, school leaders get down to numbers in Bedford (The Lynchburg News & Advance)

Overtime debated, fees considered by Augusta supervisors (The Waynesboro News Virginian)

Public hearing tomorrow on Goochland County budget issues (The Goochland Gazette)

County, schools get additional $1 million (Mechanicsville Local)

School board OKs budget with 12 staff cuts (Amherst New Era Progress)

Early retirements will aid Washington County school budget (Bristol Herald Courier)

County proposes position, capital project cuts (The Staunton News Leader)

Posted on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 - 1:16pm

Local governments do what it takes to balance budgets

Officials in cities and counties throughout Virginia are doing what they can to balance their budgets. Programs and jobs are being trimmed away, fees and taxes are rising, and stronger measures are being considered to bring tax scofflaws into compliance.

Local officials struggle to save jobs, programs while balancing budgets

County and city governments across Virginia are grappling with budget shortfalls made worse by declining support from the commonwealth. The choices they make -- to cut programs or raise property taxes -- affect homeowners' bottom lines in a tough economy.

Great Deals for Richmond-area Homeowners

Want to update your home? Two upcoming events can help you get a great deal on materials and home decor.

Two upcoming Richmond-area events will benefit homeowners and the local Habitat for Humanity, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Contractor Sale

"Hanover Habitat for Humanity and the central Virginia chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry will hold a contractor yard sale Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hanover Habitat for Humanity office at 8177 Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Area contractors are invited to drop off priced items -- such as windows, doors, countertops, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, lighting and flooring --Tuesday through Thursday. Items will be stored until the sale. On the day of the sale, contractors should bring tables, cash for change, a tent in case of inclement weather and business cards. There is no cost to participate, but you may donate a portion of your proceeds to NARI or Habitat for Humanity.

To sign up, e-mail info@naricentralva.org or call (804) 641-1438. The groups are also looking for sponsors to help with advertising costs. Sponsors will be recognized on a banner at the sale."

Rug for a Rug

"Capel Rugs, located at 3995 Deep Rock Road in Henrico County, has partnered with Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity for its "Trade In, Trade Up" event today through Oct. 31. Shoppers who bring gently used rugs to the store will receive savings on new area rugs. Donations benefit the Richmond Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

For each rug donated, shoppers will receive 25 percent off their purchase of a new area rug and a tax donation receipt from the Richmond Habitat ReStore if the rug is reuseable. The store's staff will be available to help customers unload used rugs Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m"

Read the original article.

Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 5:32pm

Parade of Homes Kicks Off This Weekend in Metro Richmond

This weekend marks the laungh of this year's Parade of Homes in Richmond and the Tri-Cities area, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The homes on display range in value from $170,000 to $1.5 million, and also use a variety of energy efficient materials.

Many homeowners enjoying looking at the Parade of Homes to keep them informed on designs and materials being used in new homes. For any homeowner in the Richmond and Tri-cities area looking to renovate or update their home, this would be a great place to get ideas.

"The annual Parade of Homes kicks off this weekend, showcasing new homes by builders in the Richmond and Tri-Cities area.

In all, 71 homes by 36 builders will be open for viewing the next three weekends from noon to 5 p.m.

This year's event is pared down from last year, when 130 homes by 60 builders were on display, as the housing slump continues to hammer the industry.

'We're fortunate to have this many entries,' said Victoria Moody with the Home Building Association of Richmond, the parade's organizer.

The annual Parade of Homes has been held since 1951. This year's 71 houses mark the fewest number since 1984, when 68 homes were open for touring.

'This is your best opportunity to see every type of new home imaginable, showcasing the latest in designs, construction techniques and materials, at prices ranging from $170,000 to $1.5 million,' according to promotional material.

This year's tour includes one of the country's first houses for entry-level buyers certified for energy savings by the National Association of Home Builders through the National Green Building Program.

The house, built by First Richmond Associates, is on the market for $209,500. It is certified at the bronze level, the lowest of four levels."

Read the full story.

Posted on Thursday, October 1, 2009 - 4:08pm