Archive for January, 2009
HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME IN A CHALLENGING MARKET: BEING BETTER THAN THE COMPETITION – STRATEGY 4
January 13th, 2009 categories: PODCASTS, Seller Strategies
EPISODE 3 – REAL ESTATE IN CHANTILLY RADIO
In this series, Kathy O’Neal takes future home sellers in the Chantilly, Centreville, and Northern Virginia area through the seven strategies that characterize successful home selling in the current environment.
You may not have the need or desire to “transform” your home before putting it on the market, but there are many things that can be done to set the home apart and give you a huge advantage over your competition.
Kathy will help get you thinking about how to set your home apart.
To get the full benefit of all the strategies, we invite you to listen to the other episodes in this series: Episode 1 and Episode 2 .
Download this episode (right click and save)
| Discussion: No Comments »
USING THE INTERNET TO SELECT A REAL ESTATE AGENT: INTEGRITY MATTERS – PART 5
January 9th, 2009 categories: Buyer Strategies, Seller Strategies
If you are using the Internet to select a real estate agent, this series is for you. We have been offering guidelines to help you navigate toward your best choice of agent in Northern Virginia, or anywhere else.
Brief recap: I started by suggesting you should first know the level and depth of experience of the prospective agent. Then we considered the matter of solo agent vs a team. From there we went to the issue of quality.
Last time around I offered personal chemistry as an important selection factor. By that I was referring to the need to feel some measure of personal comfort that this is someone you can comfortably work with.
This time I will offer personal integrity as the most important criterion of all.
This one, in my view, is the heart and soul of really exceptional real estate service, or just about any other service. If you don’t have full trust and confidence in the honesty and transparency of someone you are working with, especially in a transaction that involves a big financial commitment, what’s the point?
The events of the past few years should make clear just how critical integrity is at every level. From the state of a nation, to the state of your real estate transaction, integrity is foundational. What good is anything else if the person you are working with is not rock-solid in their integrity?
That said, you do have to consider more than character in making this choice. As with any of the other criteria, you could find a deeply honest and integrity-based person, but not have a great experience, or get a great result. I have been emphasizing that these selection factors are a “system.” They work together, and to make a great agent choice, you need to consider them all.
Integrity can have a much more involved definition, but I am thinking of it in a straight-forward way. From my perspective it means that this is a person who is entirely honest in all their dealings, will always tell you the full truth, will be diligent and careful to always put your financial well-being ahead of any personal gain, and will behave in a manner that inspires confidence in their trustworthiness from start to finish.
This is the person who will always give you their honest view on properties, and won’t even come close to creating the feeling that you are getting a “sales pitch.” Their primary concern is your best interest and it shows in how they give advice and use whatever influence you allow them to have.
The real issue here is not simply how the person behaves. It is who and what they are. Integrity is not a skill to be learned. It comes from the depth of a person’s heart.
So how do you make a sound judgment on this factor? In truth, you can’t know some things until you can judge from the experience of working with someone. But you can do a number of things. For example, you can talk to their references. You can also do what I suggested earlier…make contact and request a brief time to meet. Not a thing wrong with telling the agent that you are meeting with several people because you want to make a good choice.
If you do have a conversation, you can also just ask about their approach to ethics and integrity. Sure, no one will say, “Glad you asked. I am not the most ethical person around!” But you can get a sense of how much they have thought about the role of integrity in their business by how they answer.
Most consumers do not make their agent choice with this much care. And that is precisely why you will be at a big advantage if you apply these criteria and make a choice that is first-class.
If you have followed the steps I have previously offered, you will be in a good position to use your intuitive judgment, aided by the factual data and impressions you have gathered. The sum total of your “due diligence” so far will probably be more helpful than any direct questions you ask about integrity.
It can be a genuine loss for consumers who wind up with someone who does not match their preferences or who is simply not as experienced and skilled as they would have liked. Why risk that? With a little effort you can make a great choice.
If you’d like to see this series in video, visit our VIDEO CENTER and scroll down to “The Right Real Estate Agent for You.”
Feel free to Contact Us with comments or questions. And…if you want to get each new post on “The Straight Scoop” delivered to your email address, please use the “SUBSCRIBE” link.
| Discussion: No Comments »
CHANTILLY’S PLEASANT VALLEY: “SWEET SPOT” HOME FOR SALE
January 3rd, 2009 categories: Featured Listings
If you are a home buyer searching in the Chantilly/Centreville area, here is a home we invite you to take a look at through a Visual Tour. The location is: 4362 Silas Hutchinson Drive – Chantilly, Virginia 20151.
A "Sweet Spot" in Chantilly's Pleasant Valley
If it stays on your short list, let me know what other information I can provide, or to arrange a tour.
First, let me share what this home does NOT have to offer. No bank-owned financial hassles, or endless fix-up costs, or any of the host of other issues that can be associated with either of these two conditions!
No, this home is just one of the nicest in the community, with a floor plan and interior design that most people really love. It is clean, fresh, well maintained, and has that overall feel of being a “cut above” the competition.
It has a spacious deck and tranquil backyard, loads of room inside including an additional first level room that can be a 5th bedroom or office, playroom, etc. Nice 2-car garage too, with good storage space.
On top of being a first-class property, it has a very competitive price, so it is a real value.
If you are considering this area and price range, you should at least give this one a look. In a crowded field, this one stands out.
To take a Visual Tour of this property please click here.
Price: $424,900
MLS#: FX6949799
More information: please click here and scroll down to this property.
If I can answer any questions, please Contact Us.
| Discussion: No Comments »
HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME IN A CHALLENGING MARKET – MAGNIFICENT MENTAL MOVES – STRATEGY 3
January 2nd, 2009 categories: PODCASTS, Seller Strategies
EPISODE 2 – REAL ESTATE IN CHANTILLY RADIO
What separates the successful home sellers from those that are stalled?
In this series, Kathy O’Neal takes future home sellers in the Chantilly, Centreville, and Northern Virginia area through the seven strategies that characterize successful home selling in the current environment.
With Strategy 3, Kathy describes how successful home sellers are getting beyond stress and frustration, with some very simple “magnificent mental moves.” But don’t let the simplicity of these mindsets fool you. They will help make the challenges of the current market far more manageable.
Applying these attitudes is not a “cakewalk,” but it is far better than the alternative. Learn how to get your “head in the game” even before you think about the condition of your property, so that you can avoid the mistakes made by many sellers in the current environment. It will position you with a big advantage.
To get the full benefit of all the strategies, we invite you to listen to the other episodes in this series: Episode 1 and Episode 3.
To receive all future episodes in this 7 part series, and all blog posts, please click here.
Download this episode (right click and save)
| Discussion: No Comments »
TERRIFIC THAI IN CHANTILLY
January 1st, 2009 categories: Community Life
If you are looking for a very nice Thai eating experience in the Chantilly area, give the Thai Palace a shot.
Thai food can be addictive. With its subtle yet distinctive flavors, it keeps drawing you back for that next entree that you have not yet tried..or for that favorite you know will be good, so why risk the unknown? Either way, the Thai Palace is satisfying. It has an extensive and creative menu of choices, along with the more typical Thai standards.
And speaking of standards, the owner chef Sarah Siriporn-Baker, works hard to keep the dining standards very high.
Thai Palace owner and chef
When she is not personally preparing each dish, she is probably shopping for local produce. Freshness plays a big role in her culinary concept, as does authenticity.
She grew up in her native Thailand cooking and learning about the many flavors and techniques she puts into play.
The Palace has developed quite a local reputation. To accommodate her customers, Sarah has recently added significant space. If you have not been there in awhile, you’ll see about double the seating room.
A bigger Thai Palace
If you are really partial to Asian cuisine, you may also enjoy the new Sushi Bar that is now up and running at the Palace. I saw the Sushi chef busy doing the artful work of preparation last time I visited. Sarah tells me it has been a big hit with customers.
Thai Palace's new Sushi Bar
The Thai Palace is just off the intersection of Route 50 and Lee Road, in the same shopping center as Costco and Target. You turn on Lee Road from Route 50, and then take the next left into the shopping center. The Palace is next to the UPS Store at 14410 Chantilly Crossing Lane. If you visit, we’d love to know what you think.
Here are a few images of some of the many Thai dishes you will find. By the way, for the serious – or not so serious – lover of Thai food, Sarah does occasional mentoring in which she teaches the basic techniqes of Thai cooking.
Chicken Satay
Drunken Noodles
Kiew Grop
| Discussion: No Comments »
