Below is a taste of the Lake Monticello Friday Flyer.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES – Lake Monticello Pool

LMOA is accepting applications now for lifeguards, swim instructor and front desk staff for the 2010 pool season. Employment applications are available at the Clubhouse and on the website at www.lmoa.org. On the toolbar, click on Library, then on Forms. Return completed applications to the Clubhouse. For more information, call Pool Manager Mary Acree at (434) 960-8010.

GOLF NEWS

• Ladies’ rules seminars in the Crofton Room from 9 to 10AM on Thursdays through Feb. 11. No registration required.
• Free 15 minute lessons in the indoor practice area at the Marina. See your swing on video and discuss swing drills, technique, and fitness. Call the Pro Shop for appointment.
• Indoor practice net at Marina is open from 10AM to 6PM daily. For details, call the Pro Shop.
• Handicap System: The VSGA has changed to a year-round handicap system. Annual fees of $27 are due, so drop by the Pro Shop to pay for the new year.
• Frosty Foxes men’s winter golf league, will resume play on Tuesdays at 12:30 when the course reopens. Sign up at the Pro Shop.

For details email JEPasser@embarqmail.com or jghowe126@yahoo.com.

FREE FISHING SEMINAR, Feb. 15 at 7PM in the Terrace Room. Paul St. Clair, Lake resident and successful tournament angler, will talk about the fish species that inhabit our lakes, their feeding habits, baits to use, winning fishing techniques and tackle requirements. Paul’s seminars are always well-attended and space is limited. Walk-ins are welcome but to be sure you get a seat, register now by emailing bopiergroup@gmail.com. Sponsored by Bo’s Pier Group, which is actively involved in assisting LMOA make it possible to build the Community Fishing Pier, which also will be discussed during the seminar. 

Click here for the Lake Monticello Friday Flyer

Mark your calendars Charlottesville, The Hook and 18 top Charlottesville restaurants will host the second annual Charlottesville Restaurant Week from January 25 – January 31. For only $26, you can enjoy a delicious three course meal (does not include beverage, tip or tax). $1 from every meal will be donated to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

The Pointe at The Omni was the first restaurant to reveals it’s menu, which includes squash and smoked gouda bisque, seared rockfish with potatoes au gratin, jumbo shrimp with white cheddar stone ground grits, roasted ratatouille, bacon-wrapped meatloaf, and more. The Old Mill at Boar’s Head Inn will serve dishes such as, home-made truffle pasta, sweet potato gnocchi, Scottish salmon, warm chocolate cake and so much more.

Out of town guests will be glad to know famed resort hotels, such as Keswick Hall ($175) and Boar’s Head ($149) Inn, are offering special discounted rates during the Charlottesville Restaurant Week.

Below is a complete list of participating restaurants. Which restaurant or restaurants are going to attend? Enjoy!

Aberdeen Barn
Blue Light Grill
The Boat House
Brassiere Montiel
C&O
Camino
Carmello’s
Cassis
Fossett’s at Keswick Hall
Horse and Hound
l’etoile
Maya
The Melting Pot
Old Mill Room at The Boar’s Head Inn – Menu available
The Pointe at The Omni – Menu available
Ventana
Vivace
Zinc

Are you relocating to Charlottesville?  Are you looking for a job?  Even in this ever-changing economy, there is a wide selection of job opportunities in the Charlottesville area.  The University of Virginia is the #1 employer in Charlottesville with around 8,600 employees, including part-time.  Currently on SimplyHired.com there are over 132 job openings in Charlottesville such as, Software Engineer, Physical Therapist, Mortgage Broker, Pharmacist, Customer Service Manager, Intel Analsyt and more. 

Charlottesville is a great place to work and a great place to live!

Per The HooK, below is the Top 25 Charlottesville Area Employers (based on number of employees).  Feel free to click on the name of the company to view their website.

1. University of Virginia : 8,600 (including part-time)
2. University of Virginia Health System: 5,320
3. Albemarle County: 2,920 (including 620 part-time)
4. Martha Jefferson Hospital: 1,500
5. City of Charlottesville: 2,184 (including 84 part-time, 455 temps)
6. State Farm: 1,547 (including 43 part-time, not including area agents)
7. National Ground Intelligence Center: 1,200
8. Sperry Marine (Northrop Grumman): 825
9. Region Ten Community Services: 689 (including part-time and volunteers)
10. GE/Fanuc: 600
11. Crutchfield Corporation: 500
12. Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club: 490
13. Kroger: 464 (including 166 part-time)
14. WorldStrides: 420
15. Atlantic Coast Athletic Club: 420 (including part-time and seasonal)
16. Farmington Country Club: 400
17. SNL Financial: 400
18. U.S. Postal Service : 376 (including part-time)
19. Boar’s Head Inn: 375
20. CFA Institute: 332
21. PRA International: 300 (including part-time)
22. LexisNexis: 300
23. Piedmont Virginia Community College: 220 (including part-time)
24. Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge: 295 (including part-time)
25. Management Services : 265

It’s Friday! We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Lake Monticello Friday Flyer Recap

• H1N1 vaccine will be offered at the Fluvanna County Community Center, January 12^th from 2:30-6:30 PM
• LMOA asks that you stay off the main lake and fishing pond, since both are still very icy
• Special Executive Session Board Meeting, January 12^th at 6:30 PM
• “State of the Lake” report recaps 2009 and plans for 2010, will be broadcasts on cable TV channel 10, January 14^th-20^th from 9-7 PM
• Gene Ott elected Chair of the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors
• Educational presentations on deer management, will be broadcasts on cable TV channel 10, January 14^th-20^th from 9-7 PM

Click here for the Lake Monticello Friday Flyer.

This time last year we were coming out of one of the worst financial and real estate situations the Charlottesville area has ever experienced. Home sales and home values were down. Most economists were predicting a slow start to 2009, and boy were they right! Although they predicted a slow start, they also predicted that 2009 would end with a bang, and it did! Home sales were up and mortgage rates were down. Nationwide we saw a 7% annual increase in home sales compared with 2008. Very soon we can expect the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors to announce the year-end 2009 market report. Locally we are expecting to see very positive news. Once it’s published, we will send you a copy.

Although it’s comforting to know the real estate market is on the mend, it’s important to remember money is getting more expensive and interest rates are predicted to rise. Freddie Mac’s deputy chief economist, Amy Crews Cutts, says the “Federal Reserve’s scheduled phase-down of its multi-billion dollar purchases of mortgage backed securities, plus expected moderate growth in the economy, will force rates at least a percentage point higher.” Mortgage rates are expected to rise above 6%. If you are homebuyer and concerned about your mortgage rate, it’s probably a good idea to nail down your financing situation. Talk to your lender and determine a plan of action. If you need a local Charlottesville lender, please let us know. We have several reputable lenders we can refer your way.

Below are mortgage rates from yesterday.

MBS 30-Year Conventional – 5.125 with 1 point

FHA Programs – 5.194 with 1 point

VA Programs – 5.194 with 1 point

When purchasing a home you want to be on the lookout for potential problems. It’s better to address issues upfront before you get too far in the home buying process. Below is a list I found of 10 Trouble Spots to Consider When Purchasing a Foreclosed Home. This list applies to foreclosures AND all home purchases. Remember all of these potential problems have solutions. It’s important to align yourself with the right people including a top notch realtor, home inspector, contractor and more to help you correct issues in the right manner.

1. Unheated home in winter months – sign of pipe bursts and water damage

2. Missing sinks, toilets and other fixtures – items may have been removed in an improper manner

3. Peeling, bubbling, and discolored paint or a musty odor – sign of water damage, mold or other fungus

4. Fungus growth inside cabinets, behind drawers and built-ins – sign of further water damage or mold

5. Blocked drains or pipes – sign of sewage backups

6. Black cobwebs, greasy gray residue on walls or a strong oily odor – sign of potential soot damage or a malfunctioning furnace

7. An older home with extensive renovations – sign of possible work done without proper permits

8. Excessive painting – sign of mold

9. Discolored subflooring – sign of mold

10. Poor air quality – sign of a home’s poor condition

As the New Year approaches, The Betsy Gunnels Group would like to take this opportunity to Thank all our Past and Present Clients and wish you a Blessed New Year in 2010. 

For our family 2009 was a year with two major milestones. We were blessed with our 7^th  healthy grandchild, Emily, born on May 1^st, to our daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law, Chris Young. Our fourth daughter, Amy married her Kindergarten sweetheart Brendan Schmutte, on December 19^th in Rockledge, Florida. 

We wish you and your families much Happiness and Joy in the New Year.  We thank you for the many referrals you have sent our way. We look forward to serving you in the next year and years to come. 

Happy New Year, Betsy, Fred and Maggie

Today is the last day of 2009. We’d like to end this year on a positive note. Home sales are up! In fact, in November 2009 existing home sales in the South were up 4.8%, 44.8% higher than that time last year. The National Association of Realtors is seeing similar trends in other areas of the country. It’s also important to note that home inventory levels are decreasing. Homes are staying on the market for an average of 6 months. Generally 6 months is considered a neutral market. All of these statistics are pointing to a healthier and happier real estate market in 2010. Click here to read more about November 2009 Home Sales.

Here is a comparison of mortgage rates from the beginning of December to the end of December.  The charts show that the 30 Year Conventional mortgage rates increased 0.6% in 4 weeks.  It’s important to remember that rates are still low at 5.275%.  If you are buying a home or refinancing a home, make sure to talk to your mortgage broker regarding rate changes.  They can lock you in at a rate that fits your budget.

Mortgage Rates: December 30, 2009

Mortgage Rates:  December 1, 2009

Below is an update for the December 2009 Broker Open Houses. This is a great vehicle to bring exposure to Fluvanna County homes for sale, Lake Monticello homes for sale and Louisa County homes for sale. 

These Open Houses are for Realtors Only. If you are not a realtor and would like to attend, please contact Maggie Gunnels before coming. Maggie@GunnelsGroup.com – 434-960-8987 

Each week a different realtor signs up to host lunch and another realtor can host dessert or a drawing. It is first come, first serve. Right now we have one lunch host opening available for Fluvanna County, excluding Lake Monticello. Due to the holidays, we are unable to schedule a December lunch for the Louisa County homes for sale. 

If you are not hosting lunch, dessert or a drawing, you can still easily participate. Ask Maggie Gunnels how. 

Let Maggie Gunnels know as soon as possible if you are interested in hosting a lunch. As these lunches will up fill up fast. 

December 2009 Schedule

December 3rd (Lake Monticello) – Patrick Burns and Rachel Burns are hosting lunch at 22 Hatchechubee Betsy Gunnels is hosting dessert at 29 Englewood Dr

December 10th (Fluvanna County, excluding Lake Monticello) – lunch hosted needed

December 17th (Lake Monticello) – Bill Coburn is hosting lunch at 895 Jefferson Dr. 

We look forward to seeing you all there. Happy Holidays!!!