We would like to thank all those who visited our website this year. Hopefully this has been a valuable resource for you as you chose where to buy or build a home on the Northern Neck. Here are some of this year's happenings with Packett Properties:

1) Packett Properties completed Town Center Village: a 16-unit, multi-family building in Warsaw, VA. Town Center Village is comprised of two 16-unit buildings that provides affordable luxury housing nestled between Rappahannock Community College Warsaw Campus and downtown Warsaw. Providing residents, great location to all of Warsaw's ammenities. To find out more, visit PackettRentals.com.

2) A waterview home was completed on Lot 10 of The Landing at Totuskey Creek. This beautiful home boasts an open floor plan, large kitchen and living area, a main floor master bedroom (with walk-in closet), bonus room, and multiple upgrades. The owner built the house as a 'trial' home and is now looking to sell it to build a waterfront home on Lot 2. Apparently the trial is over... visit Century 21 to see the listing.

3) A waterfront home is nearing completion on Lot 7 of The Landing at Totuskey Creek. The proud owners of this home have been integral in the planing and design process. Working closely with Packett Builders, Inc. the owners have had the home built  to their exact specifications.

4) Packett Builders, Inc. freshly renovated a waterfront cottage on Piscataway Creek. This home (now on the market) offers gorgeous views, private boat ramp, fresh landscaped yard, oversized deck for entertaining, deep water and detached shed for all of your nautical storage needs. With two master bedrooms (three total) ALL bedrooms have a view of creek. For more information visit OakStone Properties.

5) Homes, additions, and renovations. Packett Properties had the opportunity to work with customers in all phases of home construtction. Thank you for all those who turn to us for your construction needs. It's been a great year!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

-From Packett Properties

As Thanksgiving approaches, it's only appropriate to say what we can be thankful for on the Northern Neck:

Four Seasons:

 It's no coincidence that thousands of people decide to retire in the Northern Neck. The mild climate gives the Northern Neck four full seasons and in each season, a new beauty. Whether you're on the shore to watch a summer sunset, driving through the fields at harvest time, cozied up in a winter snow storm, or smelling the first blooms of Spring. The seasons aren't too long and they're not too extreme.

I'm thankful for four seasons.

The Water:

The weather is great but most people are attracted to the Northern Neck because of the water. There are several aspects to the thousands of miles of coastline that we can be thankful for: beautiful bridges, marshland that provides habitat to hundreds of species of wildlife, boating, beaches, and spectacular views.

I'm thankful for the water.

Wildlife:

The mixture of brackish river water and fresh inland water makes the Northern Neck unique in it's array of wildlife. It's not unusual to see deer and turkey in the evenings or possum and raccoons at night. Occassionally you might get a glimpse of a fox or coyote but you'll always see the turkey vulchers scavanging for their next meal. At water's edge, you have the chance to see herron, eagles, and other water fowl as you watch fish jump at bugs on the water. You may also get the chance to see falcons dive in the water after fish. Wildlife is definitely thriving on the Northern Neck! 

   
I'm thankful for Wildlife.

Small Towns:

The Northern Neck has one town (Colonial Beach) with a population over 2,000 people (3,500). These small towns thrive by showing genuine hospitality to visitors to the area. From Farmer's Markets to Festivals to Fairs; these small towns have the home town feel irreplaceable to residents. One unique aspect of the towns here is that there is an emphasis on retirees and vacationers. So there are shops, restaurants, golf courses, and other ammenities specific to tourists and retirees. 

I'm thankful for small towns.

At this time of year we can all take a moment to recognize the things we're thankful for and find ways to express that gratitude. Living in a free land with great weather, water, wildlife and towns makes the Northern Neck one of the best places to live! 

So the debate rages on—Where is the best place to buy waterfront property in the Virginia area?

The selections are many: The Eastern Shore, the Tidewater/Va Beach Area, Lake Anna, etc. And although these places are certainly wonderful spots to consider, each has their own set of drawbacks when compared to what has possibly become the most popular spot in Virginia to find the best waterfront properties: The Northern Neck.

As most know, the Northern Neck  is a true ‘neck’ of land that is surrounded by the Potomac River on one side and the Rappahannock on the other, with the Chesapeake Bay meeting the end in the town of Reedville/Fleeton Virginia.

So the question is why is the Northern Neck so popular? Here are a few reasons as compared to some of the other popular locations mentioned at the top:

1. No traffic: That’s right, none. No tunnels to travel under (64 is awful if you’re going to the Tidewater area on a Friday afternoon). No bridges to cross with major tolls and bottlenecks (Eastern Shore). To this day, the Northern Neck has very little traffic issues because it has not been commercialized whatsoever, a fact that is appealing to many, many people.

2. Access to major Rivers and the Bay: Unlike Lake Anna, which is simply a lake, the Northern Neck is within striking distance of huge bodies of water with the two major rivers and the Bay being right there.

3. Within 3 hours of almost everything: Whether you’re coming from the Richmond area (about 70 miles), Fredericksburg (about 65 miles), or all of Northern Virginia (Less than 100 miles), the Northern Neck is a short drive from every major part of the state. This fact is especially appealing to grandparents who might have one set of children in the Richmond area, and another in Northern Virginia. With its easy location, the NN is ideal for such situations.

4. Reasonable Pricing: As we all know, the closer one gets to Northern Virginia or the Va. Beach area, the more the property costs go up while the size of the property actually goes down. This is not an issue in the NN though, where land is still plentiful.

Although there are certainly many more reasons the Northern Neck has become known by so many as the best waterfront property in Virginia, this list is a good start. But check it out for yourself and visit the Northern Neck and all its treasures soon.

There are many advantages to building a home on a lot rather than buying a home on the northern neck. Why should you look for a Lot to build on in the northern neck rather than an buying an existing home? 

1) Your house is truly, your house. You can tailor the floor plan, kitchen layout, color themes, and window design to your specifications. All too often someone buys a home and says, "We really like this house except..." When you build your own house, you'll be able to say, "I love my house, no exceptions!" One example is the kitchen. Kitchens have been traditionally smaller in size, but as we now socialize more in the kitchen, you can talor the layout to your needs.

2) No need to renovate. The costs involved in renovating an existing home are already tied into your house. Rather than re-roofing, re-painting, putting in hardwood instead of carpet - tile instead of laminant, you work with your builder to build the home the way you want it, where you want it. 

3) Fewer 'bugs'... literally and figuratively! There are no hidden problems, mice, bugs, mold, etc. and the possibility of these future problems is reduced as well. Some homes have inconvenient Waterfront properties can be more prone to some of these problems that are very avoidable by building a new home. 

4) Efficiency. Homes today are built much more energy efficient than ever before. Your energy costs can be significantly reduced by building a new home. Also, there will be less repairs costs; the appliances, pump, well, HVAC, and roof won't need repairs for years. 

5) Security. Most builders of new homes will offer a one year warranty incase something isn't built to specifications or there is a malfunction. This significantly stabilizes your monthly costs for the extent of the warranty and in the next five to ten years.

Building a home can be a great experience that makes your dream home a reality. To find out more about building a home on the northern neck, or to check out what Packett Properties has to offer, visit The Landing At Totuskey Creek.