Lynchburg, Forest, Goode, VA Blog by Norma Brandsberg

2113 Deer Run, Forest, VA 24551 Lake Front Condo near Lynchburg Virginia

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:51:13 -0600

Norma Brandsberg | Marks Realty Co., Inc | norma@normasells.com | 434-515-1115

2113 Deer Run, Forest, VA

Lake front property with gorgeous views, ground floor well maintained unit, nicely decorated, covered porch.

2BR/1+1BA Condo

offered at $114,900

Year Built	1984
Sq Footage	910
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$192 per month

DESCRIPTION

Do lake views soothe your soul? Are wonderful sunsets part of your perfect day? Too busy for yard work? Then this darling ground floor unit at Deer Run, Lake Vista, Forest could be your dream come true. This two bedroom 1 1/2 bath unit has stupendous views of Hutter Lake from your second floor porch. Open design, wonderful condition with walk-in closet and washer/dryer area. An added bonus is the additional storage area offered only in this building. All appliances are included including washer/dryer and refrigerator. This unit includes use of pool/ tennis, fishing, walking trails, limited non-motorized boating on multiple lakes and is close to schools and most major employers.

Hurry while this one is still available!

More information and videos at www.normasells.com

More information on Lake Vista is available HERE:

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Fireplace
- Walk-in closet	- Living room	- Dining room
- Breakfast nook	- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator
- Stove/Oven	- Microwave	- Washer
- Dryer	- Laundry area - inside	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Storage space(s)	- Swimming pool(s)	- Tennis court(s)
- Lake

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Deer Run Units and Hutter	Pool
Living/Dining Room	Kitchen
Master Bedroom	Bedroom #2

Contact info:

Norma Brandsberg

Marks Realty Co., Inc

norma@normasells.com

434-515-1115

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Mar 8, 2010, 6:01am PST

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

105 Millspring Drive, Forest, VA 24551 Home for Sale

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:12:46 -0600

Norma Brandsberg | Marks Realty Co., Inc | norma@normasells.com | 434-515-1115

105 Millspring Drive, Forest, VA

Quality built, all brick exterior, hardwood floors, crown molding in acreage area. Good schools. Great 4 season sunroom, 3 sides of windows. Located i

4BR/2+1BA Single Family House

offered at $345,000

Year Built	1993
Sq Footage	2,462
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	1.15 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Torn between city life or country life? Want a little bit of the country, but want the best of both? Want small acreage, but with nice neighbors in a neighborhood setting? Have I got the home for you! My listing in Forest has all that & much more! This home is in mint condition with open designed, huge kitchen/laundry/1/2 bath combination, low maintenance brick exterior and insulated windows, upgraded kitchen appliances and tile counters, beautiful hardwood floors and huge unfinished walk-out basement. Best of all is the heated/cooled four season room with skylights and picturesque views of your private yard. Imagine the views with the fist snowfall or the flowering dogwoods in Spring. Located in Peter's Estates, Forest, with a great school district, within a few minutes of everything that is important to a busy family. This home is placed on a private acreage wooded lot and is located on 1.15 acres. This is a great home at a great price. Will sell quickly!

Dream too long and this one is gone!

More information, video/virtual tours HERE

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Fireplace
- High/Vaulted ceiling	- Walk-in closet	- Hardwood floor
- Family room	- Living room	- Dining room
- Breakfast nook	- Dishwasher	- Stove/Oven
- Microwave	- Basement	- Laundry area - inside
- Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front	Back
Entrance	Sunroom
Living Room	Master Bedroom

Contact info:

Norma Brandsberg

Marks Realty Co., Inc

norma@normasells.com

434-515-1115

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Mar 11, 2010, 7:40am PST

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

Wordless Wednesday

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:22:13 -0500

Tough Like a Bull When I have to Be!

Charging Forward to Sell Your Home with Cutting Edge Tools! Fences? Gates in my way? Not a problem. Over 25 years of charging through the difficulties in the Lynchburg, VA area to sell your home or find one that fits your family.

Call me Norma Brandsberg to find an agent determined to put you first! 540-586-9496

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

Trying New Things! Yo Yo Ma and James Taylor

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:39:20 -0500

If you aren't willing to try new things, get out of the business! This business is about change and adapting new models for your business. Just ask anyone who started out without fax machines, cell phones or computers.

Those still in the business have adapted from the horse and buggy age to Venus and beyond and it has been a great ride along the way.

This video between Yo Yo Ma, the cellist and James Taylor is a great example of two people willing to try new things to make both better. Change, Learn Grow!

That is what will make your business successful.

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

We All Need a Rainy Day! What are you doing?

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:24:47 -0500

Today it is raining. I might add, we need the rain so I am happy to see and smell the rain.

I got to thinking why I lke to see a rainy day every so often. I came up with several reasons.

A rainy day generally limits who will look at homes that day. That means I get a day to analyze what I am doing to see if there is anything I can change to make business better or more lucrative.

Can I learn a new program or expand my knowledge base on what I already have learned? Can I go to AR to see what new postings might offer new insight an something I don't know?

Today I got up a new video on the local area, one done on a local subdivision with my new Vado HD camera. I plan on making this a regular posting to add to my outside blog.

Later this rainy day will permit me to get in a load of wash while I am on AR posting.

What are you doing today to make your business fruitful?

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

Forest, VA, Bedford County Virginia Lake Vista and Forest Lakes

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:21:12 -0500

This the first in a planned series of informational videos about the Real Estate subdivisions in Bedford County, close to Lynchburg, VA.

Forest Lakes and Lake Vista are two adjoining subdivisions in Forest, VA, Bedford County Virginia, just outside the Lynchburg City line and are one of the more popular subdivisions.

This area is gorgeous, is comprised of a series of small lakes, walking trails, two swim clubs with junior Olympic pools and tennis courts.

The condos, townhomes and single family homes are offered in a variety of price ranges and suit many who wish to live here.

Located just a 5 minute drive from shopping, grocery, professional offices, doctors' offices, restaurants, fast food places and more.

For more information or a list of available offerings, please call or email me. I'd love to help you find your perfect home, condo or townhome or just land. I live in Bedford County and have been selling Real Estate here for over 25 years, so know and love this area.

Norma Brandsberg, GRI
Marks Realty Co. Inc
540-586-9496 office
www.normasells.com internet

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

One of my Favorite Places to Be - The Peaks of Otter Video

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:55:54 -0500

One of my favorite places to laze away a weekend afternoon is Peaks of Otter.

Stoll down one of the many trails, eat in the restaurant with the fabulous views of the lake and mountain, go fishing, or just sit and relax.

For your own little piece of Heaven, call me 540-586-9496.

Cutting edge Real Estate marketing using videos and the Internet
with Norma Brandsberg www.normasells.com or call 540-586-9496

(Taken with my new Vado HD camera)

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

Check Your AVG Version- Not Updating Virus Files!

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:44:39 -0500

Yesterday or the day before I got a new version of Firefox.

I noticed today that the virus files were not updating for AVG.

After a little investigation I found that older versions and I don't mean that much older have a corrupted file.
If you just update the version to 8.5.392 released today, that should fix the problem.

Here is the link! Choose the free version on the left.

http://free.avg.com/download?prd=afe

Check your version by opening AVG from your system tray, then look for "tools" on the top bar, then go to information. The version will be posted there.

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

Gross Orchard, Bedford- My Favorite

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:20:25 -0500

Here is a video I created of a favorite business. And a recipe to use with their fruits in one of my favorite recipes from Paula Dean. I like to use with peaches and put with pork or you can use for a dessert over ice cream.

Ingredients :
* 1/4 cup bourbon
* 2 sticks butter, softened
* 2 cups light brown sugar, packed firmly
* 2 lemons, juiced
* 1/2 cup water
* Assorted fruit cut in 1/2 (peaches or plums)

Directions Put the bourbon into a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil. Boil for 1 minute to burn off the alcohol. Add the butter, brown sugar, lemon juice, and water. Bring to a boil whisking until all the sugar is dissolved. Simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool to thicken. Toss fruit with the glaze to coat or brush glaze over fruit with a pastry brush. Place fruit on the grill and turn once when light grill marks appear. Serve with ice cream and drizzle the remaining glaze over the fruit.

And to buy your peaches you must go to Gross's Orchard in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. What a stunning drive north of Bedford, VA. The vegetable are great and so are the people. Tell Ronnie, Norma sent you!

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

News Release 2009 Lynchburg Symphony Concert Season

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:44:07 -0500

As many of you know, I play violin in the Lynchburg Symphony. We have an exciting season coming up.
For more information go to www.lynchburgsymphony.com.

------------------------------------------------------------------

News Release

The Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra
Lynchburg, VA Tel 434.845.6604

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2009

Lynchburg Symphony Announces 2009-2010 Season;
Prices for Four Subscription Concerts at Deep Discounts

A first-of-a-kind performance by combined church choruses with full orchestra, the return of the popular Irish group Cherish the Ladies, the debut of the Lynchburg Pops concert, and a concert of collected orchestral favorites lead the 2009-2010 performance season announced by the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra’s 26th performance season also includes the second year of the LSO’s Christmas and Candlelight fundraiser, a repeat of the very popular Motown fund-raising event from last season, and the revival, from the 90s, of an Oktoberfest event featuring German refreshments and a lederhosen-clad “Ooom-pah” band.

Working very hard to increase revenues in a time of great economic challenge to cultural organizations everywhere, the orchestra is offering deep discounts for people who purchase season tickets for the LSO’s four basic subscription concerts, even deeper discounts for those whose subscriptions have lapsed for the past few years, and it’s sweetening the deal by including a two-year subscription to an increasingly popular statewide wine magazine.

Subscription Season – Four Concerts

The LSO’s performance season under conductor/music director Bruce Habitzruther gets under way on the afternoon of Sunday, October 11, when it hosts the combined choirs of area churches for a program of secular and sacred music, including original compositions by Central Virginia’s Dr. Mark Landry.

Then on March 6, 2010, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, the great all-woman Irish group Cherish the Ladies returns to the delight of music lovers throughout the region. This concert is part of the Minds Wide Open statewide celebration of women in the arts (vamindswideopen.org). The five-woman group blends virtuoso instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing to enchant audiences worldwide. The orchestra will not be onstage during this concert. The entire concert will be the performance by Cherish the Ladies.

March 13, 2010, will see the unveiling of what the LSO is calling the Lynchburg Pops, when for the first time the orchestra goes to the James River Conference Center to create a nightclub atmosphere for favorite orchestral hits, both light classical and popular.

And on May 20, 2010, conductor Habitzruther and the LSO will perform a program of all-time popular works for orchestra, including a performance of Haydn’s delightful “Toy Symphony” with special celebrity guest artists.

If purchased separately, tickets for each of the four main performances would total $93, but for people who buy a season subscription, all four concerts are available for $70 for each person, a discount of about 25 percent. Subscribers who act by September 1 can also receive a free two-year subscription to Virginia Wine Lover Magazine, a contemporary lifestyle magazine that celebrates the quality and uniqueness of Virginia wines. The two-year subscription is valued at $15.

People who had subscribed to the LSO but who have not renewed their subscriptions since 2005 may do so this year for $60, as well as receive the wine magazine for two years. “We know that the choices for music lovers in Central Virginia have increased dramatically in recent years, and we are eager to show folks the reasons why we are the premiere music organization in our community,” noted LSO executive director Rick Piester. “We hope that this price proves very attractive to people who haven’t regularly been in our audiences recently. We’re working very hard to offer a variety of exciting musical experiences. It’s really a great deal — $108 worth of great music and great reading for just $60 or $70. And subscription sales are a huge help in maintaining the financial stability of our orchestra.”

Single-ticket sales for each concert begin about a month before each event.

A Year Filled with Special Events

In recent years, the LSO has been intent on diversifying the types of activities on its calendar, creating a series of fundraising events while at the same time offering interesting musical experiences for a broad range of audiences. Tickets are sold separately for these events.

On October 17, The Friends of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra is bringing back Oktoberfest!, a popular LSO fundraiser from the 90s featuring German food, beverages, an oom-pah band, and all the Gemutlichkeit of a German festival at the Lynchburg City Armory.

On November 14, the LSO will present “Get Down Tonight – The Best of Motown” an event that had the audience up and dancing all evening when it was first offered in 2008. The Joy and Lynch Christian Warehouse Theater at the Academy of Fine Arts is transformed into a nighclub environment for an evening of great Motown hits by Bill Carroll and the BC Big Rhythm Sound

Two nights before Christmas, on December 23 at Oakwood Country Club, soprano Marcia Thom and Lynchburg-based singer/songwriter Paddy Dougherty will present the second year of “Christmas and Candlelight,” the sparkling evening of seasonal favorites that quickly sold out last year. Tickets for this special event will go on sale for $75 in the fall, but subscribers can get tickets for $65 at the time of subscription.

The Friends of the LSO’s major fundraising event, The Valentine Gala, is set for 7:00 PM on Saturday, February 13, 2010, at Boonsboro Country Club.

Closing out the year of special events, the LSO, the Virginia School of the Arts, and the Academy of Fine Arts will again collaborate on “Dancing with Strings and Other Things,” the combination of great music and great dance that enchanted audiences in 2008. Although not a fundraiser for the LSO, the three partner organizations have scheduled three performances of the event in late March 2010.

Subscription information and season brochures are available from the orchestra office at (434) 845-6604, by email at info@lynchburgsymphony.com, or on the LSO Web site, www.lynchburgsymphony.com. Subscriptions are also available at lynchburgtickets.com.

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

Wordless Wednesday Istanbul Turkey

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:20:14 -0500

As some of you know we just got back from Norway and have some gorgeous pictures which I will post over time. However one of the more striking views we have ever had from a hotel window is above. The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey was a delight to see every night from our window. We took this trip in 2005.

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

2009 June Home Sales Lynchburg, VA

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:17:43 -0500

More good news!

Note on the graph the number of home sales increased about 25% in one month and has been up every month since Jan. 09, months of inventory is has been down every month since Jan. 09. Only the number of days on the market increase slightly since last month.

Average sales prices are also up to $178, 178 and have been up every month since Jan. 09.

We are going in the right direction but are significantly down in all catagories from from home sales of two years ago.

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

No Mountain is High Enough!

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:37:48 -0500

NO MOUNTAIN IS HIGH ENOUGH!

Selling a home is like scaling the tallest mountain! Endless paperwork, loan agents who are picking at applications, appraisers who are cutting home prices, loan underwritters who nit pic applications to death.

I love scaling mountains!

Let's scale this mountain together!

NO MOUNTAIN IS HIGH ENOUGH!

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

Inflation on the Rise.Great Time to Buy!

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:33:47 -0500

One of the best things to develop long term wealth is to own a home. And one of the best things to beat inflation is to buy a home. Home prices historically increase in price more than inflation.

Why is this relevant now? Because interest rates are great by historic standards but they are not likely to stay that way. They are going to go up and soon, in fact they have started already.

The best time to buy is now while home prices are low and interest rates are historically low. In a year you are going to kick yourself if you don't jump to buy now. Add to this the first time $8,000 tax credit and the picture gets even rosier.

What will happen to home prices? My best is on home prices rising. They are already doing so here.

If you want to beat the inflation curve, call me.
I'm sure together we can find you your perfect home.

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code

A Tale of Two Walk-Throughs

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:51:56 -0500

Via Elizabeth Bolton - Cambridge MA Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Cambridge, Massachusetts):

I'll never forget my first final walk-through when I realized that sellers weren't required to leave their home spin and span - just swept and empty. Streaky counters, spots on the bathroom mirror - just a general feeling of yuck as we walked around the empty rooms.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to have two closings - and two very different final walk-throughs.

Final Walk-Through #1

I had a bad feeling about this one when I heard that the movers had just left. Sure enough, the condition of the house left a lot to be desired.

Sticky, unwashed counters

Crumb-filled drawers

A fridge that had been emptied but not cleaned

Lots of flotsam and jetsam left behind in the garage

Half a dozen full trash bags left outside

Several switch plate covers removed and not replaced

Final Walk-Through #2

These sellers were moving out of the country and they had a lot of belongings to deal with - the cellar had been packed with their stuff. But what a pleasant surprise!

The house (including the fridge!) was immaculate - clearly the sellers had come back to clean or had a cleaning service in

That full basement? - empty!

Nothing was left behind in the house except toilet paper in the bathrooms (thank you!).

Outside several trash bags were lined at the side of the house. The sellers had arranged for their neighbors to take the bags to the curb on trash day.

As real estate agents we always keep our fingers crossed on the way to the final walk-through. It's such an exciting day for the buyers - you don't want them to be disappointed. And since often this is the first time they're seeing the house emptied of all the furnishings and accessories it's sometimes a bit of a letdown. In an empty house any dirt or refuse stands out like a sore thumb.

I often think of the home sale process as a reflection of character. It's certainly an opportunity to practice the golden rule. When you're moving out do everything that you can to leave your home the way you would have liked to find it the day you moved in.

An immaculate house puts a smile on everybody's face and helps to make sure the closing is the happy, celebratory event that it should be.

Norma Brandsberg, GRI

Marks Realty Co., Inc.
4119 Boonsboro Rd, Ste 205
Lynchburg, VA 24551

434-515-1115 all phones

phone local to Lynchburg area,
but must dial area code