Buckingham, Virginia Will Keep You Centered

Buckingham is a fairly well-know name in the world.  There’s Buckingham Palace, perhaps the most expensive real estate in England, where the British royalty live. Also you might think of the historic Buckingham Hotel next to New York City’s Central Park.  Or if you’re a Midwesterner at heart, the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago is also pretty famous.

However, there’s another Buckingham with roots that are far more modest than any of these world-famous places.  Buckingham, Virginia does have some claim to fame – it’s the town closest to the geographic center of the commonwealth of Virginia.

The only county in the U.S. named Buckingham, it is speculated that the name came from a Duke who hailed from Buckinghamshire, England.  Like it’s sister city across the ocean, the Virginia community also has rolling hills, but on this side of the Atlantic the hills are heavily forested, situated between the Buckingham Appomattox Forest and the Cumberland Forest.

When the population of an area remains steady at about 15,000, homes are often affordably priced because the demand is not as great as areas where populations continually increase.  A little more than 15 homes are currently for sale in the city, however there are at least 45 pieces of real estate waiting for a home to be built now available.

With one home listed for a million dollars, it could as easily be suited to be a commercial or retail space, a retreat, or church than as a house.  The front yard is already paved for parking and the views of the James River and the mountains beyond are breathtaking.

For just over $300,000 another three-bedroom with panoramic views is also available, along with more than 32 private acres.  If you prefer city (or town in this case) life to that of a country life, you might not want to head into Buckingham to put down your roots.  However, there are homes with plentiful elbow room also available priced around $120,000 and up.

If you’d prefer more of a crowd than the being surrounded by nature, you can visit nearby Dillwyn where homes are also affordably priced and there are more choices.  In addition, Richmond is an hour east for entertainment and shopping, while Lynchburg is about 30-40 minutes west of Buckingham.

In Buckingham, it’s not likely that you will find royalty, but everyone is treated with dignity and respect in this small American town.

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Courts Protect Indiana Landowners

Several years ago, a couple purchased 40 acres of land that had beautiful hills, lush trees, and two pastures perfect for building a home.  To get to the top pasture, there was a winding driveway – partly gravel, partly packed dirt – that went for about ¼ of a mile through some woods along the top of a hill. At the bottom of the hill was an old creek bed that had historically been a part of the old Vincennes Trail that led from Chicago to Vincennes, Indiana, then on to Louisville, Kentucky.  The trail was used by settlers as they pushed west, expanding their presence across the nation.

This 40-acre tract of real estate belonged to my parents after my grandfather passed away.  He had originally bought it from his wife’s inheritance back in a time when men women did not have a say in how their money was spent. My grandmother never did care for the land, but she might have had spent some time in the peaceful surroundings.

When my parents realized they would not retire on this beautiful acreage, they offered it for sale and accepted a real estate land contract where the buyer was to make monthly payments, essentially deferring the final purchase until all payments were made in full.  At that point, the deed of trust would be transferred to the buyer.

After the paperwork had been signed, the first payment was received but then they stopped.  After a month, they received a phone call from a thankfully curious neighbor, “Did you know there are logging trucks pulling down trees?”

My parents were able to get an emergency injunction against the logging company to stop all work.  The logging company had already paid the buyer in full – over $30,000 – for the beautiful trees and they had only taken about a third of them.

The courts further ruled that the buyer had committed a felony and a warrant was issued for his arrest, but on behalf of my parents who lost the beautiful trees and for the logging company out about $20,000 for the trees they never cut.  But the buyer had fled with the money to Florida and as of now – 20 years later – no arrest has been made.

There are times when a court does need to get involved in a real estate transaction, and they will rule in favor of the contract. When you buy or sell real estate, be sure that a qualified real estate agent reviews it.  If it’s a transaction outside their normal area of expertise (like a land contract v. outright purchase), always have an attorney review the document before signing. The Indiana attorney that my parents used thought to have the no-logging clause placed and the Indiana courts upheld the letter of the contract.

Indiana courts have long protected the rights of consumers in a fair and equitable way, especially regarding real estate transactions.

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El Paso Diversity is Big Draw for Homebuyers

"Wild as the Texas wind" is how Marty Robbins described the cowboy sitting with his girlfriend in an El Paso cantina. This haunting song and scores of western movies have helped build the image of this place as an exotic, dusty place where water is scarce and life is simple.

The land has a rich history of the Spanish and Native American lifestyles. Residents can still visit missions that combine the best of both cultures, eat authentic Mexican food, or walk across the border into Mexico for a day of shopping and exploring.

One of the best things about this area of West Texas is there are still cowboys, gringos, and Native Americans – the Tigua Indians of the Pueblo tribes. The influences of these cultures come together in El Paso, a city nestled in classic western geography but with all the modern conveniences that help define a good standard of living.

It's easy to find homes designed around with southwestern style architecture in El Paso. The one story homes with flat roofs are popular in the real estate community, and interiors feature curved arches leading into rooms and cool tile floors. A favorite feature of design in that area is ornamental iron work on the outside of houses.

The median home price is about $150,000, but nicely situated condos for half that price can be found as well as million dollar estates with million dollar views of the Juarez and El Paso Mountains.

Fortunately many residents in this area can afford to own their own homes because the job market has remained fairly steady. Helping boost the economy is defense spending and civilian jobs brought in by Fort Bliss Army Post – jobs that range from physician assistants to engineering to clerks at the retail stores on the post. In addition, because it is on the Mexican border, the Customs and Border Protection Agency, the office Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the Drug Enforcement Agency have offices located in the city.

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Some Tips for Living in Hawaii

Hawaii homes are among the most prized of any real estate available to buy in the United States. Nearly everywhere, you’ll find a gorgeous view either of the mountains, jungle, or the ocean. Palm trees are scattered throughout the islands, as commonplace as the gorgeous smells of ripe vegetation.

While buying and owning a home in the 50th state would be a dream for many people, it is also a bit scary and intimidating. For example, do you know the difference between buying a leasehold property and a fee simple property? Did you know that all beaches in Hawaii should have public access (so much for the grandiose idea of keeping that stretch of white sand to yourself)? Did you know that the easiest way to pronounce Hawaiian words is to pronounce every vowel?

Leasehold v. Fee-Simple

Let’s talk about the widespread rumor that no one in Hawaii actually owns their own property – that the government allows it to be leased up to 99 years only. There is some truth to this information, but it’s not really the entire story. Native Hawaiians may apply for land leases that cost $1 per year. To be “Native” the applicant must have at not less than half of the blood of the races living in the Hawaiian Islands before 1778. You must be half Hawaiian and will require proof through birth certificates and other means to prove it.

Specific homes are available to qualified applicants, but the waiting lists are historically long. However, once a native Hawaiian does get in an eligible home, they can extend the original 99 year lease for 100 more years, thus allowing homeowners to pass the homestead to descendents, 7-year exemption from property tax, total exemption on land tax, low interest government loans, and the ability to obtain home equity loans using the property.

If you’re not half Hawaiian, other real estate is available as a fee-simple purchase.

Open Beaches

Technically the public should have clear access all beaches, but not all areas of shoreline are easily accessible for the general public. However, there are fantastic beaches that people prefer to use anyway – in fact; some of the most fantastic beaches in the U.S. are found in Hawaii. Finding a nice beach is easy, even where blocked by property owners who grow vegetation to inhibit free use by the public. Finding an amazing place that’s family friendly is as simple as a Google search.

Speak Hawaiian

So you’re buying real estate in Hawaii and want to know how to fit in? Here are some tips from an off-islander who has only visited twice.

1.)Don’t be afraid to say Aloha!
2.)Pronounce every vowel in any word that looks exotic. For example, if you’re going to the lovely beach of Waikoloa and you want to say “WayKola,” DON’T. Instead, pronounce every vowel so you say Way-i-ko-lo-uh and you’ll fit right in!

Here’s wishing you a successful life in Hawaii. Go 5-0!

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Rock Fever Common for Non Islanders

When you step off the airplane in Hawaii and walk down the indoor-outdoor corridor to catch a ride to your destination, the smell of beauty can overwhelm. The flowers in this tropical climate exude smells that are sumptuous and redolent. That’s when the desire to move to paradise cements in your heart.

Less than a year later, the newest residents often make haste back to the mainland because they got the fever… the Rock fever. What exactly is Rock fever? It’s a condition caused by homesickness, claustrophobia, or a feeling of being trapped on a “rock” in the middle of the ocean.

If you can overcome Rock fever, Hawaii is definitely a top destination for people wishing to make a life in paradise. The islands offer gorgeous, affordable real estate, but know in advance that the prices increase as the views become more desirable. You can choose between six of the eight islands to call home – one is forbidden (the forbidden island of Niihau) and one is uninhabitable (Kahoolawe with usage mandated to be only for native Hawaiian cultural, spiritual, and subsistence purposes).

One would think the Big Island of Hawaii would have the greatest population, but in fact Oahu maintains that distinction. Condominiums are deliciously affordable in Honolulu with prices starting as low as $29,000 for 300 square feet of living space. As in any place you consider living, however, be sure to check out the neighborhood before committing to a purchase.

If you prefer to live in a single family residence, real estate in Oahu can be found for less than $300,000. These homes range from 1-bedroom to 4-bedrooms and are scattered across the island. However, if you have to dream about living in Hawaii, dream big. One of the nicest homes is in Kailua and costs almost $13 million. The stunning beach-front house has five bedrooms, six baths, 6,452 square feet of living space, and views of both the ocean and mountains. Over on the island of Maui is another favorite called the Ualei Place located in Wailea. The home boasts stunning panoramic views of the ocean, a state-of-the-art kitchen, and lanais connected to each of the five bedrooms in the home.

If you are fortunate enough to afford a million dollar home, Hawaiian style, just hope you can keep the Rock fever at bay. Your spirit and soul will appreciate the sheer beauty of the islands that really are paradise on Earth.

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Winslow, Arizona is Such a Fine Sight to See

Winslow, Arizona might not really be known for more than an old railroad town and then as a bump on the road along famous Route 66 except for a few strokes of a pen. In 1972 – the year American Pie became so famous – Winslow was catapulted onto the world stage thanks to some delicious lyrics performed by a little band named the Eagles.

In the words of songwriters Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey,

Well, I'm a standing on a corner
in Winslow, Arizona
and such a fine sight to see
It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed
Ford slowin' down to take a look at me.

Winslow, Arizona went down in songwriters’ history and became forever etched in the minds of listeners everywhere. Listeners could easily envision a scene: as dusk falls a traveler stops for awhile on his journey. Taking in the sights, smells, and sounds of the town, his eyes are pulled to a truck – a classic symbol of Americana – and to the driver.

Today the town celebrates “Standin’ on the corner” day with a street festival in September. If you want to become one of the 10,000 residents who enjoy food and music festivities, it won’t take a lot of money to buy real estate in Winslow.

The most expensive homes (not the expansive ranch properties) are priced at around $300,000. Most homes, however, are priced under $150,000. Most homes were built in the 1950’s, but some newer homes are also available. Both the newer and older homes have wonderful features, from hardwood floors to big yards. Many also feature either wood-burning stoves or fireplaces to help keep the chill at bay during the Arizona nights.

Once you settle into your own real estate in Winslow, you can travel to the nearby meteor crater to see what kind of impact is made from debris falling from space. The stunning 4,000 foot in diameter crater (also known as Barringer Crater and Canyon Diablo Crater) is just 20 miles west of Winslow.

Sixty miles east of Winslow is the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert, so both of those attractions would be fabulous places to bring your out-of-town guests.

Winslow is perhaps one of the most perfect towns in the U.S., rich with the spirit of the Old West and Americana.

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