Delegate David Poisson is scheduled to meet with members of the Government and Political Affairs Committee (GPAC) on Friday, December 5th at 10:00 a.m. at the DAAR offices in Leesburg to discuss real estate issues of concern.  Delegate Poisson who represents the 32^nd district in the House of Delegates serves on the Counties, Cities and Towns and the Militia, Police and Public Safety Committees within the Virginia General Assembly.  DAAR GPAC meetings and public official discussions are open to ALL DAAR members.  If you are interested in attending, please email Christine Windle

The Virginia Homeowners Alliance (VHA) program is an exciting new FREE service to homeowners provided by the Virginia Association of REALTORS® to help protect their most treasured investment, their home.   By joining VHA, homeowners can stay informed of all the latest news relating to real estate taxes, property assessments, new residential and commercial developments, transportation, school construction and a host of other issues affecting their home.

Adopted in 1973, the Loudoun County Land Use Assessment Program provides for the deferral of real estate taxes on real estate that qualifies for agricultural, horticultural, forestry and/or open space uses. Assessed values under the program are generally less than those estimated at fair market value.  The purpose of the program is to further the public interest by encouraging the preservation of land, to conserve and protect the county's natural resources, to protect safe water supplies, and to promote orderly land use planning and development. 

According to the National Association of REALTOR®, the most recent economic stimulus bill, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, was a good first step towards stabilizing our nation's economy.  Unfortunately, a number of the Act's provisions have not proven to be as useful at stabilizing the nation's housing markets as was first thought.  Congress may consider a second economic stimulus bill this month.  If they do, there are a number of changes that NAR is recommending, as approved by the NAR Board of Directors at the national convention in Orlando this month, that could help to provide more stability to the nation's real estate markets which most agree is a necessary step towards recovery.

On Monday, November 3rd, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (BOS) voted to approve an ordinance to restrict the use of new non-conventional septic systems on homes, businesses and churches for five years.  Despite testimony and input provided by hundreds of DAAR members, Loudoun residents, rural businesses, soil engineers and industry experts opposing the proposed ban before a public hearing, several public input sessions and stakeholder meetings over the past twelve months, the majority of the Board of Supervisors (6-3) approved the ordinance.

Loudoun County offers financial assistance through the Downpayment/Closing Costs Program (DPCC) to first-time homebuyers.  The program has recently been expanded to better assist low-to-moderate-income homebuyers purchasing homes in the county.

Administered by the Loudoun County Department of Family Services, the program makes loans available to homebuyers with a total household income between $29,500 and $69,300.  Funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Standard eligibility requirements apply.  Highlights of the program include:

• Loan amounts up to ten percent of the purchase price or $25,000, whichever is less
• 30-year loan
• Interest rate of five percent
• Principal and interest payments deferred for the first three years
• Monthly payments begin with the fourth year and are amortized over 27 years
• No pre-payment penalty

For more information about the program and application procedure, contact Karen Thorson, Loan Specialist, at 571-258-3814 or karen.thorson@loudoun.gov.