Any Tuesday In April

Every Tuesday in April we will be joining hands with Habitat for Humanity and working on a project in Fredericksburg.  We will be refurbishing a home inside and out.   We are asking for groups of volunteers to come out and join us.  If you would like to lend a hand, just contact our office at 540-310-4804 or e-mail betsy@thetitleprofessionals.com and sign up any Tuesday in April.   While you are at it bring out your whole team, what a great team building excercise while giving back to the community.  We would love to have you join us for such a great cause.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity go to their website http://www.fredhab.org/

Could soaring DC sales be good news for our area?

As posted in Virginia Business.com March 11, 2011  
reposted from Bill Freehling Biz Insider Fredericksburg.com

Pending Home Sales Soar in the Washington, D.C. Area
March 10, 2011 4:07 pm.

A real estate information company says pending home sales in the Washington, D.C., market has showed the largest year-over-year increase in 10 years.

RealEstate Business Intelligence says the number of contracts signed in February was up 33 percent from the same time last year, the biggest increase in more than a decade. The company added, however, that housing prices remain weak because of restrictive mortgage conditions.
RBI defines the Washington market area as including Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church in Virginia.

Rates Down for 3rd Week

As posted in Virginia Business.Com

 

Mortgage rates drop for third consecutive week

Virginia Business.Com March 3,2011 2:11 p.m.

Mortgage rates dropped this week for the third consecutive week, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey.

The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.87 percent, down from last weeks 4.5 percet.  At this time alst year, the average rate was 4.97 percent.

The 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.15 percent down 0.7 percentage point from last week when it averaged 4.22 percent.  A year ago, the average rate was 4.33 percent.

"Interest rates for 30-year fixed mortgages were almost 0.2 percentage points below this year's high set just three weeks ago," Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist of Freddie Mac, said.  "This means that home buyers could now expect to pay $263 less er year on a $200,000 loan."

Trivia Question Hint ...

A little hint to assist you in answering this month's trivia question in our February 15th newsletter.

What would a home buyer buy on installment that would become part of the house?

Make sure you are participating in the trivia contest each month.  Sign up to receive our newsletter from our website at www.thetitleprofessionals.com

send your trivia question responses to contest@thetitleprofessionals.com

It starts with a can of food

Now through March 15th we are collecting cans of food for the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank.  Just a simple can of food can impact so many lives.  Check out the Fredericksburg Food Bank website to learn more and discover the many programs the food bank offers.  

We appreciate your help in taking a step to prevent hunger ... everyone deserves a decent meal, it is amazing the number of people right in our community that struggle to feed themselves and their family.  So do your part today, it starts with a simple can of food.

Drop cans off at our offices now through March 15th.   www.fredfood.org

Enjoy the Burg

This weekend marks a holiday filled with sales and events throughout the area.  Most offices are closed on Monday to celebrate President's Day.  A day to honor our president's and our nation.  Many also take this opportunity to enjoy a three day weekend and get out and enjoy ourselves.  Warm weather is in the forecast and it is sure to bring many out to enjoy the sights around our very own Burg.

So how are you going to spend your weekend?  If you're into shopping there are many sales, from auto dealerships to furniture stores.  You may just want to get out and find that home you have been searching for ... looks like we will have great weather for walking property. 

Make sure you check out the Weekender in the Free Lance Star, there is so much going on around our area, from concerts, movies, George Washington birthday celebrations (this is his 279th anniversary of his birth), art exhibits around the city and theatre or exhibits.

What ever your preference Fredericksburg has so much to offer, but with a three day weekend, you just might be able to squeeze it all in!  You may just want to stroll downtown and stop by the landmark Carl's for some ice cream (it opens again tomorrow, Feb 18th), enjoy the parks or just shop for some President's Day Bargains.

So here's hoping you enjoy the Burg this weekend and experience all it has to offer.  For those of you who work on the weekends, I hope your weekend is profitable and you have the chance to get out during the evenings to enjoy some of the happenings.

 

2011 Offering a Season for Business Resolutions

Mark Steele, Managing Member of The Title Professionals has been appointed as Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce for 2011.    The following is a copy of his Chairman's Report for the Chamberlink for January 2011.    We will try to post his reports as they are published.  Remember to support your community and join the Chamber of Commerce.

2011 Offering A Season for Business Resolutions

                When I joined the Chamber of Commerce ten years ago, I attended a new member orientation. One of the speakers compared joining the Chamber to joining a gym. You could send in your dues periodically and claim to be a member, but that strategy did not benefit very much. The other option would be to become actively involved in the many exercise activities that the gym offered to improve your health and realize the value of your investment. In this season of resolutions, I encourage you to become active in the Chamber to maximize your investment and improve your business’ health.

                The Chamber is an organization of volunteers with a mission of facilitating economic growth in our region. Its roles include being a business advocate with the legislature and the community, providing educational opportunities to area business people and offering networking opportunities for members to interact with other area business people to market their goods and services.

What can you do?

                Attend a Networking Event

                Hundreds of members attend business after hours, chamber ribbon cuttings, and roundtables every month. These are excellent opportunities to connect with other business leaders, who may share much in common with you. Roundtables are offered in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and Stafford, with educational opportunities to learn more about business activity in our region. Business after hours and ribbon cuttings spotlight area businesses and provide excellent opportunities to meet new contacts and connect with prior contacts.

                Join a Committee or a Council

                Numerous opportunities are available to become active and share your skills with the Chamber. FredTech and the Military Affairs Council are organizations of members who share a common interest in technology or supporting the local defense industry. LeadShare meets periodically to share business leads with other members and promote each other businesses. Next Generation of Business Leaders provide professional growth, civic service and business networking opportunities for young professionals. Chamber Network of Enterprising Women offers businesswomen educational and networking opportunities.

                Support Leadership Fredericksburg

                Leadership Fredericksburg is a nine month program designed to provide leadership training to its participants. The program seeks a pool of highly qualified applicants each year, as well as mentors to help provide educational opportunities before, during and after the program. The program helps to ensure that we have a pool of strong candidates to assume leadership responsibilities in the community.

                Recruit a New Member

                The Chamber requires a steady of influx of new businesses to remain vibrant. Consider your business partners and inquire whether they are Chamber members. If not, encourage them to join and become active in this great organization. Some of our best membership leads come from members just like you.

                Happy New Year and welcome to 2011. I encourage you to find ways to use the Chamber to maximize your investment and improve your business. Get involved, share your talents and watch how it helps your business. If you have any questions or how to get started, contact any of the staff or board members on the opposite page. I look forward to seeing all of you at the Chamber Gala on January 28.

Fredericksburg looking for Business of the Year

Just a few days left to submit your nomination for Business of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year to the Chamber of Commerce.  

DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY, JAN 7th.  

Support your community businesses and make sure you get your nominations in today!

Nominations for the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce

Business of the Year & Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

are now being accepted.

Awards will be presented on January 28, 2011 at the Chamber's *Annual Gala.

The purpose of the Business of the Year awards is to recognize local businesses that have achieved success while supporting initiatives and organizations that enhance the quality of life in the region.

There are two categories for Business of the Year: 1) a company with 15 employees or less; 2) a company with more than 15 employees. The Entrepreneur of the Year award is to acknowledge and celebrate an individual who recently successfully started a new business.

Does this sound like YOU or someone you know? If so, please submit a nomination for the 2010 Business of the Year or Entrepreneur of the Year award!

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS CRITERIA:

Any Chamber member may nominate any eligible business, including his or her own organization:

1. Nominee has been a Chamber member in good standing for at least 5 years.

2. Nominee has been in business for at least 5 years under the current ownership.

3. Nominee has participated in and supported the Chamber & community activities.

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS CRITERIA:

1. Nominee does not have to be a Chamber member however the nomination must come from a member of the Chamber.

2. Nominee has owned the business for at least 3 years.

3. Consideration will be given for community involvement.

NOMINATION FORM – DEADLINE-This FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2011

Business Name: ___________________________________________________________________

Name of Owner/President: ____________________________________________________________

Number of years in business under current ownership __________Number of employees:__________

Please complete the following items:

A. Brief description of the business.

B. Brief comments about significant accomplishments of the organization.

C. List the organizations or community endeavors that senior management or owners have participated in.

D. List professional and/or trade organizations (please note leadership positions held) that senior management or owners have participated in.

E. List any other information that you would like to be considered.

Information on individual completing the form:

__________________________________________________

Your Name

__________________________________________________

Date

__________________________________________________

Phone Number

__________________________________________________

Email

Please return nominations to: whitney@fredericksburgchamber.org or Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, Attn: Whitney Watts, P.O. Box 7476, Fredericksburg, VA 22404 or fax to 540-373-9570, attn: Whitney Watts. For questions, please call 540-735-1922.

*******************************************************************

* The 2011 Annual Awards & Gala will take place at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House & Conference Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 28, 2011.

BB&T Bank is serving as Title Sponsor.

Tickets are $60 and are on sale now!

Please contact Whitney Watts for sponsorship information.