Many of the Lynchburg MLS area homes have terrace level basement apartments.  Some people consider these "mother-in-law-suites" Often times a buyer client will specifically request this particular feature when searching for a new home in Lynchburg, Campbell County or Bedford County area. Here are some questions you should ask your local zoning department prior to renting your basement apartment in the Lynchburg MLS area. What are the specific guidelines for nonconforming use? Must the home be owner occupied? Define the difference between owner occupied and primary residence if there is a difference. How long must the nonconforming use be abandoned before it is revoked? I think that was Mr. B's problem prior to purchasing the property he did not ask enough questions.  Prior to renting a ... 05/24/2009

Altavista Virginia in Campbell County has been granted monies to renovate the downtown.  It should take a few years to get it back to what it was in it's time but things have already started to change. Altavista is a perfect community for those that love the convenience of living close to shopping, and schools yet away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 04/20/2009

Recently I had a homeowner ask me if finishing the basement and adding square footage to their home would increase the value of their home.  I loved their forward thinking.  Durning a time when folks are losing value in their homes this homeowner is trying to figure out what he can do to counter that problem.  With a little investment he could make a difference.  Please take the time and watch the video. 02/12/2009

For the last few years the business owner's in the Town of Altavista, Virginia sponsor a town wide trick or treat.  I think this is a wonderful and safe way we as parents can carry our children trick or treating and as a business owners this promotes our businesses by bringing additional traffic into our store fronts. This year's trick or treat is set for Friday October 31, 2008 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm hope to see lots of ghouls and goblins! 10/30/2008

The Habitat for Humanity is a  great organization.  This weekend in my quest to find Scary Halloween decorations that folks put up in their yards I was able to get some great shots of the blitz build in Altavista Va.  There are some regulars that are always there.  The impact this organization has on people's lives is not possible without the help of a lot of people.  The spirit of the people is inspirational.  As a Realtor helping people reach the dream of home ownership is the core of my passions.  It is one of my greatest joys in my life to hand the keys to a home to a new homeowner.  I don't get an opportunity to volunteer as much as I would like.  I volunteer with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.  I enjoy making a difference in people's lives. I wish I could do it more.  However, my c... 10/20/2008

September 11 is a somber day for everyone in the United States but for me and my fellow EMS & Fire brothers and sisters it is a time of remembrance.  We have a duty to act when the pager alerts that our fellow mankind is in need of our helping hands.  We get up in the middle of the night, walk out of our houses never thinking this may be the last time we see our families.  We choose to do this because we have a desire to use the skills god gave us to make a difference in just one life. On the eve of September 11 I remember and thank god for each and every Fire Fighter and Emergency Medical Technician and their families who paid the ultimate price for their selfless duty to act.  Tonight I say the paramedic's and fireman's prayer in their honor. May god bless the families they left behin... 09/10/2008

A lot of folks think that Realtors work for free and they take tons of money to promote a property.  (How those two things could possibly be true at the same time is a mystery.)  But if it were true, that Realtors work for free, that would be a great deal for the homeowner.  If it were true that selling a house was easy, more folks would be doing it. Selling your home without a Realtor could actually cost you money.  Why is that?  Because the buyers searching out For Sale By Owners (FSBOs) are looking for a bargain.  They don't just want to save money on commissions but they want a bargain too. So if you have a home that should be listed for $200,000 and a Realtor charges $X the seller thinks, I can sell this on my own and save $X.  So comes along the buyer, who takes the price the sell... 08/28/2008

When we first bought our home on Myrtle Lane in Altavista I had no intention of living in it. Due to the market changing we ended up moving in, in May of 2007. By then we had done over $100,000 in renovations on the property and actually I started liking the area. So many people have asked "Where do you live?" and I say "On Myrtle Lane." They say, "Oh.... you live on Myrtle Lane...." It seems that the locals seem to have a high respect for the street. I admit that it is probably the prettiest street I've ever seen. There is a median that runs down the center of the street and the street is lined with trees. Folks walk their dogs and kids ride their bikes in the evening. Neighbors come out to chat and be neighborly. It is the kind of street that everyone knows each other. They even have ... 08/06/2008

Half way up the driveway leading to the Avoca Estate in Altavista stands ancient black walnut tree that ranks as one of Virginia's most misconstrued Revolutionary War landmarks.Under this tree in 1780, Col. Charles Lynch, a self-appointed magistrate, administered his "rude justice" upon Tory conspirators and patriot turncoats.  The corporal punishment consisted of 39 lashes with a whip or until the malefactors cried the patriots' motto, "Liberty," and pledged their fidelity to the Republic.  From these floggings, "Lynch's Law" was added to the legal vernacular.Much to the consternation of Lynch's descendants, Lynch Law was erroneously linked by some historians to the modern "lynchings," or vigilante justice by hanging.That error would later cast an unsavory light on the city, 22 miles t... 03/29/2008

As a REALTOR my automobile is probably my largest asset.  I really need my car.  I have found a great mechanic I can really count on his name is Pete English.  Pete has over 30 years experience and operated English Chevron for ten years and now has English Auto Alignment and has for about 3 years now.  However, he does much more than just alignments.  He also does state inspections and just about anything except major transmission work.  English Auto Alignment is located at 628 Main Street, Altavista Virginia 434-369-7123 02/25/2008

While doing some local picture taking I ran into Cecil Lipscomb to invited me to check out the new ladder truck recently acquired by the Altavista Fire Department.  Cecil explained the value of the truck was more than $700,000.  The amount of equipment this department has is overwhelming.      I've been in several different departments throughout the county and this one was the most equipped.             He showed me around the station and explained about how they use the masks in order to continue breathe while fighting a fire and let me step inside a couple of the trucks.        He told me that they were the only department that had an inside pump on a truck on the east coast.  I currently reside in Altavista Campbell County and now feel much safer after having viewed this fire statio... 02/23/2008

The area we know as Central Virginia began with the Hat Creek settlement (present day Campbell County), which was established in the late 1720's.  When the Lynch family members created their James River ferry service a quarter-century later. most of their customers were Campbell County farmers hauling hogsheads of tobacco for shipment to Richmond.As recently as the 1980's tobacco was still prevalent in the southern parts of the county.  Tobacco settlement money is helping to transform the same area.No other county has as many "focal points."  Rustburg is the county seat.  There are industrial clusters in and near the thriving towns of Altavista and Brookneal.  The Mt. Athos and Timberlake are areas are also centers of commerce.  While residential neighborhoods can be found throughout th... 02/16/2008

South of Lynchburg in Altavista, the Avoca Museum is the home-site of Colonel Charles Lynch, the Revolutionary patriot and brother of John Lynch, founder of Lynchburg. The house is an excellent example of 19th Century American Queen Anne architecture. The property was given to the Town in the 1980s and is operated by the non-profit Avoca Museum and Historical Society.  The house is an excellent example of 19th Century American Queen Anne architecture. The property was given to the Town in the 1980s and is operated by the non-profit Avoca Museum and Historical Society.  The house contains a unique collection of local antiques, including Native American artifacts and Civil War memorabilia. Avoca also hosts an annual wine festival in late September.Hours of operation:  (April 20, 2008 - Oc... 02/13/2008

In the year 1908 when the town of Altavista, Virginia was in its infancy, a group of local business realized that the town, being located at the junction of two railroads, The Southern and the Virginian (soon to be completed) and the Staunton River, had prospects of great potential, but in order to grow and attract business, a bank was a necessity.Mr. Henry L. Lane of the Lane Brothers Company, founders of the town, a local physician, Dr. W.O. Smith and Mr. W.S. Frazier, a lumber mill owner and operator, proceeded with the organization of a bank and mad application to the Treasure Department in Washington. D. C. for a charter, which was granted on December 17, 1908 to "The First National Bank of Altavista.", Altavista, Virginia with a capitalization of $25,000.  Mr. Lane was elected Pre... 02/05/2008