Ed DeChristopher, CRS | RE/MAX Supercenter | 540.368-3900 2102 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA Brand spanking new townhome in Historic Fredericksburg Virginia. Within walking distance of downtown 3 Bdrm Townhouse offered at $359,000 Year Built 2007 Sq Footage 1,775 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking 1 Car garage Lot Size 1,300 sqft HOA/Maint $50 per month DESCRIPTION No long drives to the train station or downtown shopping. No, this townhome is only a short distance from all of the amenities offered residents of Fredericksburg Virginia; "America's Most Historic City." Top of the line features are abundant in this beautiful townhome. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile flo... 07/06/2007

Several weeks ago I posted a comment about how much I enjoyed parades.  It was on Memorial Day that I blogged about childhood memories of parades.  This morning, as I began reading my email, I was inundated with fake email (read spam if you will) from people I have never met.  However, several of my friends and clients (some are both) sent me nice notes about our enjoying the 4th of July holiday. Here in Fredericksburg VA there will be no 4th of July parade.  There will be no fireworks.  There used to be!Spotsylvania County, which surrounds Fredericksburg (except for that portion of the border formed by the Rappahannock River) will have a parade though.  It will be a small parade; much like those held in many towns and cities throughout our nation today. Please join me in wishing Americ... 07/03/2007

What a week!  For the second time in a month, my Web host crashed our site.  The first time, both our site and email were down for two days.  The second time, it was just our email that went AWOL for a day.  When things like this happen on a weekend, nobody seems to be available to fix things.  For those of you who are thinking that I should've had backups ready - I did!  I had used HTTrack to back up my site for viewing on my laptop when I was in an area with no internet service available.  So, I had access to all my non-templated content.On Saturday night, I went ahead and purchased hosting space from FutureQuest.  I had been eyeballing them for about three years.  The biggest advantage to this host (other than the redundant backup systems) is that they DO NOT host any adult sites.  T... 06/14/2007

With absolute fear of aging myself, I have been selling homes in the Fredericksburg Virginia area since 1989.  Having now conceded that I am an old man, I will also admit that I have seen some pretty significant changes in the real estate market here.Real estate in Fredericksburg VA has appreciated much like it has in the whole United States of America.  Perhaps, it has appreciated more significantly than other regions.  When I write of Fredericksburg Virginia real estate in this case, I speak of the City of Fredericksburg, Stafford County, and Spotsylvania County.The 2000 census revealed that the area had a population of 202,120.  Predictions for 2010 are calling for a population of 273,000.I can remember the first time I read of a home selling for more than $1,000,000 in our area.  I ... 06/08/2007

This beautiful home in Historic Fredericksburg Virginia is availble to rent.  One of a few pre Civil War homes in city. Original home built in 1840 with an addition in 1891.  Larger addition was made in 2003. Gourmet kitchen features custom cabinets, brick flooring, granite counters, skylight, center island.  Master suite features A frame exposed rough-hewn beams to create warm rustic feeling.  Original portion features pine mantles, claw foot tub, and original front door.  Home has 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, and over 3300 sq ft of living space.  An added benifit to this home is the "off street " parking.  Notice both the "Old and New" charm!  Please call or email for more information:Dawn DeGroff -RealtorFredericksburg Realty, Inc 540-368-3900dawndegroff@mris.com   06/07/2007

The time is approaching, rapidly I will tell you, for you "Baby Boomers" to make an extremely important decision in your life (or lives if appropriate).Retirement is just around the corner and you will have to decide where you want to live.We in the real estate profession have experienced the trauma associated with this decision many times over.  Not necessarily with ourselves but with previous clients/customers.Now the shoe is about to be put on the other foot.  Where will you, real estate professional, decide to retire?  For many there will be no relocation necessary or desired.  Some of you, however, will begin searching for a location soon.  What will be the prime considerations in your move?  Children?  Grandchildren?  Health?  Recreation?  Nearness to health care facilities?  Prox... 05/02/2007

Who would ever think about brook trout fishing in Fredericksburg Va?  Brook trout in Fredericksburg?  Brook trout in Virginia?After fishing for trout in New Brunswick Canada, Montanta, and Wyoming, I can tell you that one can have a great day of fishing in Virginia.  No, not Fredericksburg (along the Rapahannock River) but in Syria.  Yes, Syria Virginia!  Not far from the Graves Mountain Lodge one can find some mighty nice brook trout fishing.Yesterday morning "The Boyz" left Fredericksburg Virginia at about 0900 (9:00am) and drove to a stop along the dirt road that follows (roughly) the Rapidan River as it flows toward the Chesapeake.  Rough terrain to say the least.  We stopped at a place that is not too far from the Hoover Camp.  Incidentally, the Camp is a National Historic Landmark... 04/29/2007

Fredericksburg Virginia, an historic city located 50 miles south of Washington DC and 50 miles north of Richmond Virginia,  appeals to many tourists who come to the area to visit the many Civil War battlefields within a short driving distance from the city.There are many quaint streets within the city.  Some are within the historic district and others are not.  Among them that is not is Littlepage Street Like many small towns and citys, Fredericksburg has a way of defining certain areas based on their location.Until a few years ago the University of Mary Washington was known as Mary Washington College.  Consequently, the area where we find Littlpage Street is known as "Below the College".  Yes, you could bet there is an "Above the College" area and you would be 100% correct!The architec... 04/26/2007

HOMES IN STAFFORD COUNTY VIRGINIA - STAFFORD, FREDERICKSBURG, FALMOUTH PRICED UNDER $400,000.New Homes Stafford County Virginia - Helping home buyers benefit from the recently reduced prices for new homes in Stafford County, Virginia priced UNDER $400,000.Close to VRE, Route 95, Route 1, Route 17, Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Dahlgren Military Facility in King George County, See  on the map. TODAY, New Homes in FREDERICKSBURG in Stafford County for UNDER $400,000.  Continuing Series of  wonderful new home opportunities in Stafford County VirginiaAsk about the Homefinders.com REBATE for new homes in Stafford.Featuring homes in inventory, spec homes ready for immediate delivery in Stafford County. The homes featured today in the 6th of this series are located in Southern Stafford County,... 04/23/2007

The Lee's Parke community is located south of Fredericksburg, along Spotsylvania Parkway in Spotsylvania County.  Possibly the primary benefit of the Lee's Parke community is it's proximity to shopping and commuting on Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1.    Literally, just a few minutes away, an abundance of shopping abounds.  Cosner's Corner, a new shopping center (still partially in development) provides ample shopping opportunities, with such shopping venues as; Super Target, Marshalls, Ross, Petsmart, Best Buy, Kohls and more.  There is a Super Walmart and a Lowes close by as well...Plenty of dining experiences are also in close proximity, including large chains (such as Uno, Chilis, Red Robin) and many great local restaurants.  For the fitness minded, you will find a YMCA and a new Ame... 03/27/2007

Hopefully, you the reader don't think I am too morbid with all of these postings on cemeteries.  Believe me, I am not one who dwells on sad things.  However, since our area is so rich in history, I have been seeing more and more interesting older things.  Could it be that I am becoming one rather rapidly?There is a cemetery in the northern part of Fredericksburg Virginia that probably was on the outskirts of town at one time.  I have driven by it many times and never really knew what it was.  Don't even think I knew it was a cemetery.  Noticed the brick walls but never saw any sign over the gate either.In an earlier posting I mentioned a converstaion I had with a German Air Force officer and his mentioning a Jewish cemetery in Ansbach, Germany.  Recalling that, one day I wondered "Where... 03/20/2007

Did the title attract you?Have I ever mentioned that I grew up along the Hudson River in New York State?  Lived in Peekskill, NY until I entered the United States Army in 1958.  Yes, that Hudson River where the Headless Horseman galloped along its shores in Tarrytown.  Could it be that living so close to that place made me have an interest in cemeteries?In case you missed the earlier posting on the Masonic Cemetery in Fredericksburg Virginia, I thought I would see if you might like to know about the modern-day cemetary in Fredericksburg.Oak Hill Cemetery is located on the outskirts of Historic Fredericksburg and is the newest one in the City.  It is, by far the largest and boasts some magnificent tombstones and memorials.  Actually, it is a pretty cemetery (as far as pretty cemeteries g... 03/01/2007

Many years ago, while in the US Army and stationed in Germany, an officer in the German Air Force was talking to me about his youth in Nazi Germany.  He told me that he had seen Adolph Hitler when he was a child.  As time went on, he shared many other stories about growing up during World War II.  He was a few years older than I; as such he was too young to be in the service too.  He did, however, watch for aircraft from the roofs of houses in his hometown.  He had even been trained to fire anti-aircraft weapons.Among the most interesting experiences was when he offered to show me a Jewish cemetery in Ansbach, Germany.  We were living near Ansbach at the time and I had no idea that there would be such a thing.  Jews, he told me, were well respected in Ansbach and were well known for bei... 02/28/2007

Two days ago, one of historic Fredericksburg Virginia's landmarks opened for business again.  No, it's not a museum.  It's not an historic shrine either.  It isn't a new store in a new mall.  It's Carl's.Never heard of it?  Well our friends, Jim and Ellen Crawford down in HotLanta are big fans of Carl's and they asked me to post something about it on Active Rain.When we first moved to the Fredericksburg area, everone told us about the must "go to" places here.  Carl's was one of them.  They were quick to tell us that Carl's served the best frozen custard in the world.  Now that's a pretty big claim.  Naturally, we had to try it and soon did.  It was good!  Real good.  Lines of 100+ customers are commonplace in the summer; serpentining for almost a block is not rare.  But the best in the... 02/20/2007

Mole1 : any of numerous burrowing insectivores (especially family Talpidae) with tiny eyes, concealed ears, and soft fur2 : one who works in the dark3 : a machine for tunneling4 : a spy (as a double agent) who establishes a cover long before beginning espionage; broadly : one within an organization who passes on information From the definitions above, to which do you think I am referrring?Previous postings have described numerous aspects about living in historic Fredericksburg Virginia.  Even think that I have posted pictures of the home in which my wife and I live.  Briefly, it is an all brick home (very modest size) which was constructed in 1816.  It withstood two hardfought battles during the Civil War (1861-1865).Like many homes constructed during the same period, there was no kitch... 02/17/2007

Historic Fredericksburg Virginia survived despite two major battles of the Civil War being fought on its territory.  Union forces shelled the City heavily and many buildings were totally destroyed.  Many of the surviving buildings were used as hospitals for both sides.  Many of those were churches.Through the years churches were built to meet the requirements of the growing population.  Today there are many churches within the city limits.  With the growing number on new homes for sale in Fredericksburg, I suppose that new churches are on the horizon.  Interestingly enough, I have never seen a church included in a planned unit development.  Think it would be a good idea for a developer to build a church and then sell it to a church or make it a community church available to any denomina... 02/13/2007

As in many cities throughout our great nation, Fredericksburg has some streets that have some beautiful homes and some whose homes are not as impressive.  As a matter of fact, some streets have some wonderful old homes and in another part of town the homes are not as wonderful.  Such is the case with Charles Street.  As I mentioned in a previous article on this network, Fredericksburg Virginia has an historic district.  The district is a 40 square block in the downtown area plus a few homes on Washington Avenue.  Washington Avenue is several blocks outside the original historic district but homes there are included at the request of the owners.Charles Street is unique in many ways and one of those is that it runs for several blocks (10 to be specific) and ends.  After one block it conti... 02/11/2007

Fredericksburg Virginia is not a very big place.  It is midway between Richmond Virginia (50 miles to the south) and Washington DC (50 miles to the north) and sits astride Interstate 95.  Many people come here to visit the Civil War battlefields that are located within a 15 mile radius of Fredericksburg.  In addition to the Fredericksburg National Military Park (administered by the National Park Service), there are parks in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Chancellorsville, and the Wilderness.  Thousands of visitors are drawn to those parks annually.Others come just to see what Historic Fredericksburg is all about.  One of the things I find interesting about the town in which I live, is the great architecture found in the historic homes.  If you ask someone who lives in Fredericksburg this ques... 02/09/2007

Less than a block from my home office in downtown Historic Fredericksburg Virginig there is a very interesting tree.  Coincidentally, it is just around the corner from the hybrid tree we wrote about yesterday.Not being a botanist, I have no idea what kind of tree this is.  One thing I do know is that there is a fine historic home in the backgrouind.Anyone out there know?Remember as a child looking up into the sky and trying to see what forms you could make out in the clouds?  Now just in case you are not a botanist either, what can you see in this closeup shot of that large tree above?  I have my idea! 02/06/2007

My apologies to Mr. Ripley.This afternoon, when returning to my home office in downtown Historic Fredericksburg, I suddenly stopped my car on Lewis Street.  Am sure that my passenger thought that the old boy had lost it (again).She asked "What are you doing?""Taking a picture of that tree." I replied."What tree?""The one in front of that old house there."When she saw me pull out my trusty Nikon Coolpix L4 and start shooting (after tugging on the stem of the "mutant", she saw what had piqued my curiosity.Here it is, and you have to trust me on this one.  This is not staged (my apologies to those who stage for a living) in any way.  It is reality!  No smoke or mirrors.  Just a plain old mutation I guess.What you see is a magnolia limb growing out of an oak tree.  Check it out for yourself... 02/06/2007