Sidewalks Are Coming to Your Neighborhood

In the article Walking Into the Future, Brad Broberg looks at how two generations want the same lifestyle. This lifestyle is one of walkability, hence, the 20-minute good life I spoke of previously. In a 2008 housing study, 75% of participants said they wanted the traditional, i.e. walkable, neighborhood.

CEO's for Cities sited in 13 out of 15 markets nationwide, home values and high levels of walkability had a direct correlation. The next time you're downtown, take a look around. City living is making a comeback.

People want to walk or bike and not use their cars. The Grandin Area is a prime example of this in Big Lick. Downtown Roanoke, downtown Salem, and the Williamson Road areas are also now walkable with many, if not all, of the amenities people desire.

Young Professionals and Empty Nester's are asking and shopping for, with their dollars, walkability, homes with less square footage, and amenities close-by. Will localities change with this growing trend and rezone ordinances to allow mixed-use in our neighborhoods? Can our suburbs survive without change? Will local governments see the need for a variety of transportation options? Will our very own bus line add to or alter existing routes so that it doesn't take an hour to get to where you are going?

I will leave you with one final thought. A family living in the suburbs spends 25% of its income on its cars. In a walkable neighborhood, it spends nine percent. What better ways could you save, give, or spend 16% of your income?

As my friend Nikki says, Live, Love, Laugh, Share, and Pay It Forward.

Suzanne

Why Did I Choose to Become a Green REALTOR(r)?

Growing up as an only child, my parents had good jobs, and I never went without. In college, I became familiar with Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, and other humanitarian and environmental causes. After college, I had my own misadventures in materialism, yet I am slowly getting back to my tree-hugging, hippie ways. Currently, we are a family of five, living on one income, doing what we can to keep our expenses low while treading lightly on Mother Earth.

Our need for frugality has made me become more aware of items being left on the curb for the trash man. Being a member of Freecycle has brought even more awareness of others who are willing to give life to unwanted items, putting these items to good use instead of having them sent off to the landfill. As the saying goes, 'one man's trash is another man's treasure.'

When our youngest was just a baby, I attended a seminar where the presenters were all millionaires, and real estate was a reoccurring theme. Real estate seemed like a good way for me to help others, earn a little money, and still be the main caregiver of our three children.

Now that the children are all in school, I'm out meeting all kinds of great people in the Valley, and I was recently allowed to combine my passion for the environment with my love of helping others with their real estate needs by becoming the first NAR Green designee in the area.

My purpose is to be the source-of-the-source, educate others on how to green their homes, save them money, and help Mother Nature along the way. Happy, happy-win,win!!

September 2009 Residential Market Statistics

South Roanoke City:

• Homes averaged 59 days on market – this is 17 days more than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 97.6% of their list price when the home sold


• 2 homes sold in September 2009 – this is six less than in September 2008


• The average sales price was $102,450.


• The median sold price was $102,450, compared to $222,500 in September 2008

Southwest Roanoke City:

• Homes averaged 44 days on market – this is 34 days less than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 97.5% of their list price when the home sold


• 20 homes sold in September 2009 – this is seven less than in September 2008


• The average sales price was $232,620


• The median sold price was $175,500, compared to $143,000 in September 2008

Southwest Roanoke County:

• Homes averaged 87 days on market – this is 25 days more than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 95.8% of their list price when the home sold


• 39 homes sold in September 2009 – this is three less than in September 2008


• The average sales price was $217,342.


• The median sold price was $193,000, compared to $227,250 in September 2008

Salem City:

• Homes averaged 85 days on market – this is 18 days more than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 95.6% of their list price when the home sold


• 31 homes sold in September 2009 – this is three more than in September 2008


• The average sales price was $182,347.


• The median sold price was $152,000, compared to $192,500 in September 2008
  

Northwest Roanoke City:

• Homes averaged 79 days on market – this is four days more than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 95.7% of their list price when the home sold


• 18 homes sold in September 2009 – this is eight less than in September 2008


• The average sales price was $98,985.


• The median sold price was $102,500, compared to $82,975 in September 2008

North Roanoke County:

• Homes averaged 77 days on market – this is seven days more than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 96.7% of their list price when the home sold


• 36 homes sold in September 2009 – this is five more than in September 2008


• The average sales price was $218,410.


• The median sold price was $207,500, compared to $179,000 in September 2008

Williamson Road Area:

• Homes averaged 53 days on market – this is four days more than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 96.5% of their list price when the home sold


• 20 homes sold in September 2009 – this is equal to September 2008


• The average sales price was $119,918.


• The median sold price was $129,475, compared to $122,750 in September 2008

Vinton, Garden City, SE Roanoke:

• Homes averaged 94 days on market – this is 45 days more than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 97.1% of their list price when the home sold


• 34 homes sold in September 2009 – this is eight less than in September 2008


• The average sales price was $147,137.


• The median sold price was $128,725, compared to $121,225 in September 2008

Bedford County:

• Homes averaged 134 days on market – this is 11 days more than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 96.3% of their list price when the home sold


• 36 homes sold in September 2009 – this is two more than in September 2008


• The average sales price was $270,484.


• The median sold price was $221,500, compared to $156,100 in September 2008

Botetourt County:

• Homes averaged 123 days on market – this is 63 days more than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 95.6% of their list price when the home sold


• 32 homes sold in September 2009 – this is eight more than in September 2008


• The average sales price was $208,416.


• The median sold price was $199,925, compared to $187,500 in September 2008

Franklin County:

• Homes averaged 131 days on market – this is five days less than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 92.4% of their list price when the home sold


• 36 homes sold in September 2009 – this is equal to September 2008


• The average sales price was $245,017.


• The median sold price was $190,000, compared to $215,000 in September 2008

Craig County:

• Homes averaged 125 days on market – this is 88 days less than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 94.4% of their list price when the home sold


• 4 homes sold in September 2009 – this is two more than in September 2008


• The average sales price was $144,938.


• The median sold price was $139,250, compared to $164,900 in September 2008

Montgomery County:

• Homes averaged 187 days on market – this is 129 days more than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 92.9% of their list price when the home sold


• 2 homes sold in September 2009 – this is two less than in September 2008


• The average sales price was $249,500.


• The median sold price was $249,500, compared to $179,900 in September 2008

Floyd County:

• Homes averaged 149 days on market – this is 142 days more than in September 2008


• Sellers received, on average, 98.7% of their list price when the home sold


• 2 homes sold in September 2009 – this is one less than in September 2008


• The average sales price was $162,500.


• The median sold price was $162,500, compared to $80,450 in September 2008

Roanoke's Urban Core

newvaconnects held a Professional Development luncheon last week, where I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Sabine U. O’Hara (President of Roanoke College) present her findings regarding a study she conducted with Dr. Jose Vazquez on the quality of life in the Roanoke Valley. Although her findings were interesting, they were not surprising, especially to adults in their 20’s or 30’s who are single or DINKs (Dual-income, no-kids).

The Roanoke Area, based on the findings, is in need of three things. One, an Urban Core including high-end retail, music venues, and diversification. Two, our suburbs need playgrounds, sidewalks, and childcare facilities close to home. Third, recreation is deemed desirable if we can hike, bike, and have water access within 15 minutes of where we live. It was also mentioned that we are in need of more alternative health care providers such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, herbalists and the like.

Dr. O’Hara’s paper can be read at the following address: http://web.roanoke.edu/Documents/Roanoke%20Economic%20Development%202006.pdf.

I encourage you to read it and share your thoughts, questions, concerns, and compliments. How can we go about bringing change to the area and obtaining what is needed? Are you willing to invest some of your time into promoting changes here in Roanoke? Why or why not?

Suzanne

Suzanne K. Ashley, REALTOR

www.stoverdavis.com/agent.asp?id=103
Office 540.777.3333 X 365

Cell 540.355.6029
sashley@stoverdavis.com