Archive for September, 2009
Outer Banks (OBX) Real Estate for Investment or Retirement (Part 6)
September 29th, 2009 categories: Outer Banks Focus, PODCASTS
Owning investment property in the Outer Banks of North Carolina is a “dream come true” for many investors.
But it requires careful planning and knowledge about the realities of owning vacation rental property.
It is not something you jump into without planning, not if you want to do it right. In this 6 part series on Outer Banks investment property fundamentals, we discuss some of what you will experience in the process of researching and eventually buying your first or next rental property in OBX.
Seasoned real estate pro, Barb Connery discusses lots of vital information that smart investors should be fully aware of before they make their move.
In this episode we discuss “investment to retirement” strategies. What do investors wanting to buy a rental property with an eye toward retirement need to know? Will your rental property work as a retirement home? How can you get the best of both worlds? What about IRA and 1031 Exchange strategies for owning Outer Banks real estate?
If you are considering investment and/or retirement property in the Outer Banks listen to all six episodes in the series, and get subscribed to Real Estate in Chantilly so you can receive our periodic updates from our blog feature, Outer Banks Update.
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Monarch Christian Academy: Combining Montessori Techniques with Christian Education
September 25th, 2009 categories: Community Life
The Monarch Christian Academy, located just off the corner of Route 50 and Pleasant Valley Road in Chantilly, is a new option for parents interested in early childhood education for their 2 to 6 year olds.
Monarch Christian Academy - 4090-D Lafayette Center Drive - Chantilly, VA 20151
I drive by this intersection all the time, so we decided to find out more, knowing that some of our readers would want to know about this early childhood education alternative.
The Academy’s Executive Director, Grace Cho, gave us a warm welcome and extends the same invitation to learn more, to all of our readers. We were impressed with the well-organized layout, and highly structured, yet creative programs the Academy is offering, as well as Grace’s personal commitment to the development and learning of the kids who are part of the Monarch program. Here are a few of the basics:
• Hands-on learning utilizing Montessori methods and Christian teaching
• Flexible options – half-day, full-day, year-round, 10 month, summer programs, etc,
• Lots of extracurricular activities – music, art, exercise, sign language, Spanish, etc.
• Licensed by VA Dept. of Social Services, member of ACSI and an American Montessori Society Initiative School
Enrollment is now open for 2009/2010 school year for both pre-school and Kindergarten programs.
One of numerous learning areas at Monarch Christian Academy in Chantilly
In chatting with Grace Cho it is obvious that this is a “work of the heart.” The Monarch team is committed to getting their young learners off to a great start with a firm foundation for life-long success.
If you are looking for options, Monarch would be an excellent place to check out. For more information you can call the Academy at 703 961-8281 or visit their web site.
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Outer Banks (OBX) Real Estate for Investment or Retirement (Part 5)
September 23rd, 2009 categories: Outer Banks Focus, PODCASTS
Walking along the beach while on vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, maybe you have thought about how grand it would be to own an OBX investment property.
That is how is starts for many OBX investors.
It’s an achievable dream, but it starts with knowledge and insight about the real Outer Banks. This OBX is just as lovely as the one tourists see while on vacation, but it includes the information that wise investors need to know before they jump into a rental investment property.
In part 5 of our 6 part intro series on OBX investment property fundamentals, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various investment choices. The Outer Banks is not a one-dimensional investment location. You will need to make choices between types of properties. In so doing it is important to be aware of the trade-offs inherent in these options.
Join us as we work our way through a set of core insights about buying property for investment, second home, or retirement in the Outer Banks. If you ever plan on owning property in this charmed location you will need to go into your investment decision having done “due diligence.” Don’t miss a single episode in the series, and get subscribed to Real Estate in Chantilly so you can receive our periodic updates on investment and retirement property in the Outer Banks.
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Simple Steps to Maintain A Good Lawn During the Fall
September 23rd, 2009 categories: Home Life, Seller Strategies
If you are like most Chantilly area homeowners, you may not have the time or inclination to go “over the top” on lawn care.
But there are a few simple, if not entirely time-free, things to do to keep the lawn looking good. And..here is the important part if you see the sale of your home sometime next year..these are things that will help the lawn look better next year when your house goes on the market.
In this YouTube video, the expert covers how to maintain a lawn in the Fall.
If you have any kind of lawn to deal with, this is a good investment of about two and a half minutes.
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Attractive Virginia Run Colonial at 15277 Surrey House Way
September 21st, 2009 categories: Featured Listings
If you are a home buyer with Virginia Run in Centreville, Virginia as one of the communities you are considering, you may have noticed that there are not a huge number of properties on the market presently. But there are some nice choices and our listing at 15277 Surrey House Way is one we invite you to visit.
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15277 SURREY HOUSE WAY - CENTREVILLE, VA 20120
Lots of nice features about this home, not the least of which is the terrific Virginia Run location and an especially nice lot, with trees in the back yard plus you are not far from trails to Cub Run Stream Park.
Some other features to note: granite countertops in kitchen, hardwood floors in foyer, dining room, and kitchen. Another really nice feature is the main level bedroom and full-bath that would be perfect as an au pair suite, among other creative uses.
If you are looking in Virginia Run, please be aware of this handsome property. We invite you to start by taking a quick Visual Tour.
After that, it you want to take a closer look, just contact Kathy to arrange a convenient time.
Price: $565,000
MLS#: FX7151553
More information: please click here and you will see the property on our Featured Listings page.
If I can answer any questions, please Contact Us.
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Outer Banks (OBX) Real Estate for Investment or Retirement (Part 4)
September 18th, 2009 categories: Outer Banks Focus, PODCASTS
Many Northern Virginia home owners who have vacationed in the Outer Banks have thought about the possibility of investing in a rental property or retiring to the OBX area.
It is a dream that many have made into a reality, but knowing how to make it happen does require knowledge and motivation.
In this 6-part series we discuss the insights and strategies to make your Outer Banks investment or retirement home buying experience a good one.
You can be inspired by the beauty of OBX, but you will also need a practical strategy to move your goals toward ownership of real property. We describe at least some of the major issues you are likely to deal with in buying OBX real estate, and how to navigate through the challenges and potential pitfalls.
What is the OBX rental season and is it possible to extend it somewhat through smart property management?? How important is location vis a vis the length of your rental season? A critical issue discussed in this show is: “What is the mindset of the OBX investors who seem to navigate through the buying and renting process with the most success?” What should you be focused on before you make your OBX move? How can you best use your real estate agents talents? And, what is the one thing that smart investors do all the time, that less successful investors do not do?
Stay updated on investment and retirement insights through our new blog feature, “Outer Banks Focus.” We invite you to listen and get subscribed to Real Estate in Chantilly so you don’t miss a single information-packed show.
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One Less Annoyance: Say Goodbye to Fruit Flies
September 17th, 2009 categories: Home Life
Those tiny and annoying little fruit flies that hover near bowls of fruit or garbage containers are an annoyance, but they can be removed.
First off, you can use any of the homemade remedies, but in addition to these there are off the shelf solutions.
For example, one easy to use product is the Terro Fruit Fly Trap.
You place the apple-shaped device in your kitchen so that it attracts and traps the insects. The breeding stops and the problem diminishes or goes away.
The trap costs about $8 and is found in many local hardware stores. You can also buy it online
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401(k) Funds For A Mortgage Downpayment? Consider other options first.
September 16th, 2009 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance
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Chantilly area home buyers, like home buyers everywhere else in the current environment, are experiencing the more historically “normal” down payment requirements. So people are looking for ways to get the downpayment funds.
There are alternatives to a 20% to 25% down payment amount, so it’s important to do the research. For example, we discuss some of these options in a recent series (”Getting a Mortgage“) on Chantilly Radio.
In the current environment, some buyers are looking at 401(k) plans for downpayment help.
Getting to this money is doable in many cases, but that does not necessarily mean it is your best option.
It is important that you weigh the advantages against the disadvantages. One of those negatives deals with taxation.
If you take a loan against your 401(k), and you don’t repay according to the loan terms, the withdrawal is taxed as income. On top of that, you will get a 10% penalty for people under 59 1/2.
Also, remember that if you do repay the loan right on time according to the loan terms, you’re still dealing with a “double taxation” situation.
- Taxation #1 occurs when the loan is repaid using post-tax dollars
- Taxation #2 occurs upon final withdrawal at retirement
You may not want to eliminate this as a possibility, but just carefully consider whether there may be a better alternative.
If you are working with a qualified financial planner, get their input before you make the move. If you want to get more info on the Virginia first-time home buyers program or any of the other recent efforts to assist home buyers, just give me a call and I will help in whatever way possible.
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Outer Banks (OBX) Real Estate for Investment or Retirement (Part 3)
September 14th, 2009 categories: Outer Banks Focus, PODCASTS
Owning a rental property, second home or even retiring in North Carolina’s Outer Banks is a dream many have, but it does take knowledge and planning to make it a reality.
If you have vacationed here and come under the spell of OBX magic, you may think you know it pretty well. But, you may not know it as well as you think. Barb Connery of REMAX Ocean Realty takes us on the insider’s tour of the real Outer Banks…the one you will need to know about to be a successful investor. We go beyond the spectacular coastal beauty of this “addicting” vacationland and into the hard core insights that will assist you in making a set of smart moves, should you be considering buying property in the OBX.
We don’t cover everything, but we’ll give you a heck of a good foundation and you will have contacts you have some familiarity with should you be making plans and want more information.
If you have ever dreamed of investing in your own little piece of Outer Banks magic, this series of shows is just for you!
What is your most important foundational consideration? What are the current entry level price points? How have foreclosure and short sale properties impacted the OBX market? What should you know about owning vacation property so that you avoid unpleasant surprises after your investment? What kinds of time frames are realistic for most investors?
We exam these and other important considerations for anyone thinking about owning property in the Outer Banks.
Stay updated on investment and retirement insights through our new blog feature, “Outer Banks Focus.” We invite you to listen and get subscribed to Real Estate in Chantilly so you don’t miss a single information packed show.
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Community Spotlight: Fairfax National in Centreville VA
September 11th, 2009 categories: Centreville Area
Fairfax National is a small community of luxury homes in the Centreville area, not far from Virginia Run. At any given time, you may not find many homes for sale in Fairfax National, because of the community’s size. These homes are situated on lovely large lots, some over 5 acres, and close to Centreville’s amenities, but just enough off the beaten path to be interesting.
Here are CURRENT LISTINGS IN FAIRFAX NATIONAL.
If you are interested in FORECLOSURES and BANK OWNED properties just CONTACT US and I will get that information to you.
Here are a few other links that will give you more information about this community and others in this general area:
MORE INFORMATION ON FAIRFAX NATIONAL.
MORE INFORMATION ON CHANTILLY-FAIRFAX COUNTY, CHANTILLY- LOUDOUN COUNTY, CENTREVILLE AREA, and NEARBY COMMUNITIES.
Moving to the Northern Virginia area? Check out our Area Living, and of course call or email Kathy if you want quick answers to any questions about property in the Centreville or Northern Virginia area.
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