Greene County Blends Beauty and Convenience

By Joanne DiMaggio

Ask Linda Willer, REALTOR®, ABR, CRS with RE/MAX Realty Specialists what she tells a prospective buyer about Greene County, and she’ll say: “It’s beautiful. There are gorgeous mountain views visible almost everywhere in Greene, and you can’t help but smile when you look around and see all the beauty that surrounds you.”

That’s the sentiment of nearly everyone who calls Greene County home. 

“My husband and I just wanted something different for our family,” said Willer who moved to Greene from Michigan 12 years ago. “We were tired of the dreary, overcast skies and cold winters and were ready for a change. We wanted four seasons, mountains, and the ocean; and Virginia fit the bill. The last home our REALTOR® showed us was in Greene County and we were sold.”

Ginger Slavic, REALTOR®, Better Homes and Gardens, Real Estate III and a new construction specialist, added that Greene has a “wonderful sense of community, great schools, and a convenient location.”

For Margaret Ramsey, Associate Broker, Charlotte Ramsey, Inc. REALTORS®, who has lived and worked in Greene for 20 years, it’s all about location and schools. “Greene is centrally located and perfect for buyers who need easy access to Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Culpepper, Orange, and even Richmond. I also talk to my buyers about the wonderful experiences our family has had with the Greene County School System, because it is small enough to provide an individualized approach for each of its students.”

Ramsey, who moved to Greene from the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee, says she loves living in Greene. “It is wonderful to live in an area where both the nation’s capital and the beach are close enough to plan a day trip, if we are not too busy with all of our activities here in Greene. For our family most of our local activities are sports-oriented, but there are also wonderful local opportunities for art, music, and outdoor recreation. I also love the fact that Greene County has its own convenient branch of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library.”

Slavic, who has been selling real estate in Greene for 15 years, says the biggest changes she has observed include the increase in neighborhoods, better road systems, better schools, and increased shopping. “It is no longer a bedroom community for the Charlottesville/Albemarle area.”

Ramsey came to know Greene County and the market best through her volunteer activities at the PTO, Girl Scouts, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Tourism Council, for which she is now chair. 

“The biggest change that I have seen is the increased demand for rentals,” she said. “This demand seems to be driven mostly by families and individuals relocating to our area for jobs with NGIC, DIA, and the contractors who are opening new businesses here.”

Unique Communities

Greene offers a true buffet of housing options. Slavic says the county’s most unique communities include Greenecroft, Hancock Farms, Four Seasons, and Guildford Farm.

Willer added that there are two retirement communities in Greene. “We have two 55+ neighborhoods, Four Seasons off Route 33 and Evergreen Village in Stanardsville. Plus we have mountain retreats like Dogwood Valley, Greene Acres, Flat Top, and Greene Valley.”

Ramsey points to Farm Colony as one of the most unique communities in Greene. “Once we get people past the old rumor that Farm Colony is a commune, they love the opportunity to live in the beautiful setting on a 300-acre farm,” she said. “Residents own their own lots and homes, and the home owners’ association manages the surrounding farm and 97-acre forest preserve. Residents may board their own horses on the farm, participate in the community garden, and enjoy, at a drastic discount, both eggs and beef produced on the farm. The community farmhouse, which was recently updated, is a delightful mix of old buildings and new creative architecture. Residents can reserve the great room for parties and meetings and also rent out bedrooms for friends and families for special occasions.”

Commercial Growth

There is a lot of excitement in Greene as the Wal-Mart nears completion. Slavic called it “a huge asset to the community, offering employment opportunities and convenient shopping,” while Ramsey said she believed the store would “increase the number of people from surrounding counties who will come to Greene. It will be the closest large grocery store for many residents of Greene as well as Madison, Orange, and even northern Albemarle.”

In addition to Wal-Mart, other commercial developments slated to come to Greene include the Greenecroft commercial area at the entrance of the Greenecroft neighborhood, which will begin development this year.

“Wal-Mart should have their grand opening around September 1,” said Ramsey. “McDonalds is scheduled to open in the next 90 days. Papa Johns will open a store around the first of the school year. Fried Companies has broken ground for their apartments, which should be available for occupancy in November. All of these developments are in the growth area around Ruckersville.”

Slavic said the influx of NGIC and DIA employees has been a plus for Greene County, creating a boost in real estate sales.

“It certainly has a positive effect, and there is plenty of inventory for them to choose from in a variety of price ranges,” said Willer, who added that there are more than 240 homes for sale in Greene at the present time. “The inventory is still pretty high, but with prices ranging from $72,000 to over $2 million, there is something for everyone, which is good news for buyers.” 

Ramsey said roughly 30% of the homes on the market in Greene are priced between $200,000 and $300,000, with another 27% priced between $300,000 and $400,000. “Only 8% of the homes are listed as being distressed properties—either short sales or bank-owned properties,” she said. “With only 71 sales in Greene since the first of the year, I would have to say that it is definitely still a buyer’s market. “ 

New Communities & Hot Spots

There are a number of areas that are poised for growth in the coming months. “If you are looking for new construction, there are still plenty of lots available in developments such as Godalming, Guildford Farm, Hancock Farms, Holly Hill, The Glenn, Twin Lakes, Water’s Edge, and Wexford,” said Willer. 

“Cardinal Forest, located near Greene Hills Country Club, is now paved and ready for development,” said Ramsey. “Greenecroft and Water’s Edge are newer communities that continue to see more activity.”

Ramsey said Greene has many options for visitors as well as local citizens. “The best resources for finding out about opportunities in Greene are to come by the Greene County Visitors Center next to Blue Ridge Café in Ruckersville or to visit the tourism Web site at www.ComeToGreene.com. At both locations you can find out more info about our many options for lodging, dining, shopping, and local activities. If you are interested in bluegrass, check the Web site to see where people are playing most Friday nights of the year. The Lidda Bidda Mountain Spirit Dinner Show at Lydia Mountain is also an entertaining option.” 

Slavic said the Greene County lifestyle has much to offer to all walks of life. “Young professionals appreciate the convenience, families enjoy the community feel, and retirees enjoy the peaceful neighborhoods, mountain views they could not see from the big city offices, walking trails, and exploring the Blue Ridge. It is the community you will want to call home.”

Ramsey agrees. “Greene is growing and maturing, but in such a way to maintain the natural beauty and heritage of the county.” 

PAGE  

PAGE  2