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Realtor takes a 'step out on faith' Date published: 12/11/2009
BY BILL FREEHLING
The U.S. economy was in turmoil, stocks were tanking, credit markets weren't working and local housing prices were falling fast. But Ann Black, who has been in the real estate business since 1974, decided the time was right for her firm to take a "step out on faith." Black elected to go forward with plans for a new office for her Spotsylvania County firm, 1st Choice Better Homes & Land. "I've seen enough ups and downs to know it'll come back," Black said of the local housing market. Black had another big reason for pulling the trigger on the construction project. Her office is at 1302 Bragg Road, right alongside a massive ongoing project to widen Bragg Road into four lanes. The Virginia Department of Transportation took over part of her firm's parking lot for the road project, and the office was suddenly a lot closer to the road. So when the road work started in earnest early this year, Black decided she couldn't wait any longer to start construction of her own on a new office 10 feet behind the current one. She hired Hamilton Palmer to do the engineering work, George Somers to be the architect and W&G Construction to be the general contractor. Carter Bank & Trust provided the construction loan. The actual construction on the new two-story building, which will be 4,800 square feet, not including a 2,400-square-foot basement, started in October. It should be ready by the spring, at which time the current office will be torn down. Black plans to call the local Habitat for Humanity chapter to see if they can salvage materials. The new building will have parking in the front and back. Black intends to lease part of the space on the second floor to a tenant that hasn't been determined. The new office is being built where a swimming pool used to be. Black lived in what is now the firm's office for 20 years starting in the mid-1970s, and she had the pool put in. Agents of 1st Choice and Black's family have used the pool for parties over the years.
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