Well, it may be counter-intuitive for a real estate agent to promote conservation and oppose development, but I applaud the Richmond City Council for approving the conservation easement of the James River Park System. Open access to the James, the parks and trails, and historical areas such as Belle Isle and the Shiplock Park, not only contributes to the intrinsic character of our city but it also adds to our quality of life.
From InRich.com on February 24,2009:
Richmond City Council "approved a conservation easement on 280 acres of the James River Park System. The easement, which attracted support from dozens of residents at last night's meeting, is structured to ensure that the parkland, including Belle Isle and Great Shiplock Park, will never be sold or developed, even by the city, with ballfields, concessions, playgrounds or cell-phone towers. "In our knowledge, this is the first urban conservation in the state of Virginia and maybe in the country," council President Kathy C. Graziano said.
The easement is co-held by the Capital Region Land Conservancy, the Richmond Recreation and Parks Foundation and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation."
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
The New and Improved Homebuyer Tax Credit
The new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides an $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
Who is eligible? First time home buyers or anyone who has not owned a home in the last 3 years with income of $75,000 or less if filing as a single or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
What type of property qualifies? Any home purchased as a principal residence between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.
How does it work? The $8,000 tax credit would be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser's income tax liability. If any credit amount is unused, then the unused amount would be refunded as a check to the purchaser.
How is this credit different than the one offered in 2008? First of all, it is $8000, not $7500. Secondly, and more importantly, the credit is a "true" credit, with no requirement to repay the government back as long as you maintain the property as a principal residence during the first three years.
"What's in it for me?" Well, it's pretty obvious if you are someone classified as a first-time home buyer. The government has just given you an $8,000 carrot to buy a home now. Tack that onto the already low interest rates, and there has never been a better time to buy house.
And for those of you who are not first-time homebuyers? Well, hopefully, we will begin to see people jumping off the proverbial fence and into the housing market. In essence, we would have a "domino effect" with housing inventory beginning to move again which can only help all home sellers and buyers.
Have more questions? Read all about it here.
Who is eligible? First time home buyers or anyone who has not owned a home in the last 3 years with income of $75,000 or less if filing as a single or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
What type of property qualifies? Any home purchased as a principal residence between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.
How does it work? The $8,000 tax credit would be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser's income tax liability. If any credit amount is unused, then the unused amount would be refunded as a check to the purchaser.
How is this credit different than the one offered in 2008? First of all, it is $8000, not $7500. Secondly, and more importantly, the credit is a "true" credit, with no requirement to repay the government back as long as you maintain the property as a principal residence during the first three years.
"What's in it for me?" Well, it's pretty obvious if you are someone classified as a first-time home buyer. The government has just given you an $8,000 carrot to buy a home now. Tack that onto the already low interest rates, and there has never been a better time to buy house.
And for those of you who are not first-time homebuyers? Well, hopefully, we will begin to see people jumping off the proverbial fence and into the housing market. In essence, we would have a "domino effect" with housing inventory beginning to move again which can only help all home sellers and buyers.
Have more questions? Read all about it here.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Stronghill Dining Company
I will be the first to admit that I am not a food critic...but I do like to try new restaurants -- and preferably those that are not attached to a local shopping mall. A positive dining experience all boils down to three things: atmosphere, service and of course, the food.
Last Friday night, we ventured out to Stronghill Dining Company, a relatively new restaurant located on the Boulevard. It is located directly across the street from the new Movieland and is owned by the folks at River City Tattoo. Their chef has worked at some of Richmond's favorite restaurants including The Track, Helen's and Bacchus. So we knew, although new, Stronghill had a pedigree.
The look: Sophisticated and hip yet inviting with exposed brick walls, lofty ceilings, moravian star pendant lighting over the bar and honey-colored wooden booths. The bar area is slightly separated from the dining area and there is also a more dimly-lit "lounge" area in the back of the restaurant.
The service: The restaurant was packed but we were seated on time and our server could not have been more friendly and helpful.
The food: One of my dining companions had heard that Stronghill offered Southern "comfort food". Banish all thoughts of gravy-laden meatloaf and instead think of upscale seasonal offerings with Southern influences. Among the dishes on our table: deviled eggs with jalepeno tomato relish, pan-seared rockfish topped with beer-battered onion rings and served over bok choy and a zucchini pancake and a rib-eye steak served with kale, macaroni and cheese and to-die-for hush puppies. Dessert could not be ignored - and we were quick to share and enjoy the homemade bourbon pecan pie and apple pie.
Overall, I couldn't be more pleased with one of the newer entries to the Richmond dining scene and look forward to repeat visits.
Last Friday night, we ventured out to Stronghill Dining Company, a relatively new restaurant located on the Boulevard. It is located directly across the street from the new Movieland and is owned by the folks at River City Tattoo. Their chef has worked at some of Richmond's favorite restaurants including The Track, Helen's and Bacchus. So we knew, although new, Stronghill had a pedigree.
The look: Sophisticated and hip yet inviting with exposed brick walls, lofty ceilings, moravian star pendant lighting over the bar and honey-colored wooden booths. The bar area is slightly separated from the dining area and there is also a more dimly-lit "lounge" area in the back of the restaurant.
The service: The restaurant was packed but we were seated on time and our server could not have been more friendly and helpful.
The food: One of my dining companions had heard that Stronghill offered Southern "comfort food". Banish all thoughts of gravy-laden meatloaf and instead think of upscale seasonal offerings with Southern influences. Among the dishes on our table: deviled eggs with jalepeno tomato relish, pan-seared rockfish topped with beer-battered onion rings and served over bok choy and a zucchini pancake and a rib-eye steak served with kale, macaroni and cheese and to-die-for hush puppies. Dessert could not be ignored - and we were quick to share and enjoy the homemade bourbon pecan pie and apple pie.
Overall, I couldn't be more pleased with one of the newer entries to the Richmond dining scene and look forward to repeat visits.
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