Archive for October, 2009
Simplify Your Northern Virginia “Technology” Life Just A Little
October 30th, 2009 categories: Home Life
Northern Virginia residents often run in life’s game at a fast pace. Most of us need ways to simplify our life, whether we are buying or selling a home, or just living life.
The Kathy O’Neal Team has you covered when it comes to making the real estate process easier, but that is the exceptional time. Here is something that may help your “technology” life on a daily basis.
The Powermat it is a foot-long power charger for cell phones, and assorted devices that need a regular battery recharge.
It looks efficient and easy to use, but check out the video link below before you buy one.
You place the phone on top of the mat, as shown in the image, and it recharges up to 3 devices at a time.
At this year’s Consumer Electronic Show the Powermat was reviewed in video.
Comments seem to be mostly positive, but there were a few criticisms too.
It looks like you can buy one for about $99
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Not A Straight Line Housing Recovery, But 8th Gain in 9 Months
October 29th, 2009 categories: Buyer Strategies, Seller Strategies
Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home buyers are seeing a very “tight” housing market within certain price points.
At the national level, the stats on single-family home Housing Starts were up last month, for the 8th increase this year.
There is still lots of “stuff” to get through, as least from my vantage point of working day-to-day on housing’s “front line” with actual home buyers and sellers, but there is some momentum. It is not a straight line, for sure, but there are positives.
By the way, a “Housing Start” is a home for which the foundation has been excavated. As mentioned, there are positives:
- Homes under contract are up
- National home supplies are significantly down
- Home values are up in a lot of markets
Despite the positives, you will hear the counter-point, such as the piece calling September’s Housing Starts data a “bummer“.
Referencing a drop in housing starts, the piece suggests housing will slow in the months ahead.
This could be the case of a right conclusion from a wrong set of premises. Home builders are still cautions, and understandably so. Consumer confidence is still shaken.
And unfortunately there are still lots of foreclosures ahead. So, no surprise that building permits are down.
But everything changes in time. And, remember where we are so far this year.
Housing Starts are up 40 percent on the year.
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Selling Your Home While Caring For Your Pet Dog – Part 5
October 28th, 2009 categories: Home Life, PODCASTS, Seller Strategies
EPISODE 23 – REAL ESTATE IN CHANTILLY
How do you best care for your pet dog while selling your home?
If you see the sale of your Chantilly or Northern Virginia area home upcoming, and you have wondered about how to manage the process of caring for your pet dog while doing the best job of getting your home sold well, here are some insights from professional dog trainer and Certified Grand Master Kelley Renshaw, owner of Bark Busters, a Chantilly area dog training service.
We continue the discussion on preventing and solving dog behavioral problems. What is the role of physical exercise for your dog? Can you give your pet too much of a good thing? What about mental stimulation? Is there a dog toy that may work wonders in giving your dog the mental stimulation needed for their behavioral health?
We wrap-up by talking about the “red flags” that indicate you may need professional help. And..what about your dog’s basic needs? Exactly what are they? Will providing for these basic needs prevent most problems? We get Kelley’s insights in the final episode in the series.
If you are a Chantilly area home buyer, home seller, or home owner who is now or will be a dog owner, don’t miss the entire set of episodes.
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New Leesburg, VA Home for Sale at 1210 Featherstone Lane – Really Sharp!
October 28th, 2009 categories: Featured Listings
Among the homes for sale in the Leesburg, Virginia area, in the $350,000 to $400,00 range, this property stands out!
It is one of my new listings and definitely worth a careful look if it falls into your general critieria.
For starters, it is clean as can be and in excellent condition. It is the kind of house you remember because everything has a fresh, well-maintained look and feel.
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1210 Featherstone Lane - Leesburg, VA 20176
Terrific deck in the back yard which backs to a path and common area. The luxury Master Bath is especially attractive, also.
This is a normal sale property…no potential hassles with short sale, foreclosures, or other bank-owned issues.
If the Leesburg area is on your home search radar screen, and the other aspects of this home fit your criteria, you should at least take a look.
Start with a quick Visual Tour.
After that, it you want to take a closer look, just contact Kathy to arrange a convenient time to actually see the property.
Price: $389,900
MLS#: LO7184532
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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Cox Farms Fall Festival 2009: A Chantilly Tradition
October 24th, 2009 categories: Community Life
Cox Farms in Chantilly, Virginia has quite a tradition.
This will be the 37th annual Fall Festival and it is a family favorite. The Cox family go all out, and each year the Festival seems to get a little better.
COX FARM FALL FESTIVAL IN CHANTILLY, VA
This year it started on September 19 and will run through November 8. Daily hours are 10 AM to 6 PM up to November 1 and then they close at 5 PM from November 2 through 8. Week-end admission is $15, and week-days is $9. If you bring kids 2 and under, they get in free.
There is always something new at the Festival. This year the “Animal Helper” attraction will give the 5 and under kids a special treat.
The nearly 30 minute hay-ride is always a big favorite. This year Cox Farms has added the “Fields of Fear” which is a Friday and Saturday night experience. I have also seen the “Cornundum” advertised on the sign that sits in front of the Braddock Rd and Pleasant Valley Rd location. To get into the Festival just drive a bit past this intersection to the main entrance.
SLIDES ARE ALWAYS POPULAR AT COX FARM
You will find food stands at the Farm and the apples and cider are free.
This is one of the premier family events in the Chantilly area..always great fun. If you want something the kids will remember, bring them to this year’s Festival. More information at the Cox Farms Website.
LOTS OF "RIDES" AT COX FARM FALL FESTIVAL
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Community Spotlight: Franklin Farm
October 23rd, 2009 categories: Nearby Communities
Our community profile for this week is Franklin Farm in the Chantilly and Herndon, Virginia area.
Franklin Farm is an established community of mostly single family homes. It is just a few minutes from the intersection of Route 50 and Centreville Road (the Exxon Station). It you are looking at Franklin Farm, you might also check out Armfield Farm.
Here are CURRENT LISTINGS IN FRANKLIN FARM.
If you want more information on any of these properties, of if you are interested in FORECLOSURES, SHORT SALES, 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 FRANKLIN FARM.
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 Chantilly or Northern Virginia area.
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Selling Your Home While Caring For Your Pet Dog – Part 4
October 22nd, 2009 categories: Home Life, PODCASTS, Seller Strategies
EPISODE 22 – REAL ESTATE IN CHANTILLY
How do you best care for your pet dog while selling your home?
If you see the sale of your Chantilly or Northern Virginia area home upcoming, and you have wondered about how to manage the process of caring for your pet dog while doing the best job of getting your home sold well, start with the first episode in this series to gain insights from professional dog trainer, and certified Grand Master, Kelley Renshaw, owner of Bark Busters, a Chantilly area dog training service.
What are the biggest and most common mistakes dog owners make? If you don’t know, you could be on the road to behavioral problems later. These are actually human mistakes, not dog mistakes. They have consequences in how your dog behaves, but it all starts with the assumptions and practices of the dog owner. But the good news is that common problems can usually be prevented when the owner “gets it right.”
Kelly also discusses the Bark Busters approach to dog training including how the service works, where is starts and how it proceeds, what it tpically costs, and the unique “lifetime guarantee” that the organization offers.
If you are a Chantilly area home seller, home buyer, or home owner who wants to “live happily with your pet dog,” this is a series you won’t want to miss.
By the way, you can receive all episodes of Chantilly Radio directly to your email by subscribing.
Download this episode (right click and save)
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Simplify Your Yard Work
October 21st, 2009 categories: Home Life
Even (or should I say especially) if you are a Chantilly or Northern Virginia area homeowners who avoids yard work like the plague, you may find this little devise will simplify your life just a bit more.
At least it will help to ensure you won’t have to fight with the garden hose. What is more of a hassle than messing with..and storing..a tangled garden hose?
If you want to end the mess check out the 100-foot retractable hose from Frontgate. It is wall-mounted and commercial-grade quality.
Between the swivel feature and the size of the hose, it looks like reaching the whole yard and having the hose retract easily would be a breeze. The plastic casing is also a good way to protect the hose.
Not sure if this Retractable 100-ft Hose Reel will be featured in the hardware stores, but it is available from Frontgate for $99. The 100-foot hose is included.
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If You Have An FHA Loan, Be Aware of This Upcoming Change
October 20th, 2009 categories: Mortgage & Finance
Here is a “heads-up” on an FHA change that you may want to know about.
Starting on November 17, 2009 there will be new guidelines to quality for the FHA Streamline refinance program.
If you are a Chantilly area homeowner (or any area for that matter) be aware that this program is available only to homeowners with FHA loans. The program’s intent is to help simplify the process of reducing mortgage payments.
The previous guidelines were pretty uncomplicated, but the new guidelines will be stricter.
Starting next month, among other requirements, applicants must show proof of employment, income, and cash required at closing.
In addition, you won’t be able to finance closing costs into the mortgage without getting a home appraisal done. If there is a declining value issue, this may make the refinancing a no go.
Options? Well, if you have an FHA loan, talk to your loan officer well before the November 17 deadline. See what is doable. With low current rates you may see some other attractive options.
The main thing is to not procrastinate. When the deadline is reached, the old guidelines will be over..
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School Information When Moving Into the Chantilly Area
October 19th, 2009 categories: Community Life
If you see a move to the Chantilly or Northern Virginia area, and you would like information about school options in this area, we have a great resource you can use.
Great Schools is an organization dedicated to providing objective information on schools throughout the US.
"GREAT SCHOOLS " INFO AT www.KathyONeal.com
We are Great School subscribers, so no need to worry about that part. You can have full, free, and immediate access at www.KathyONeal.com to lots of really useful data and insights about the educational options available here in the Chantilly and Northern Virginia area, as well as anywhere else you might like to search.
You will find information on the local public schools system as well as profiles of school options outside the public system. There are also insightful articles on key topics of interest to parents. You will find many of the topics you care about as parent discussed along with practical recommendations and ideas. Candid parent reviews are also featured.
It is a wonderful resource for parents moving into the Northern Virginia area who are not familiar with the local school choices. Just go to our Great Schools page. No registration required, access is free and immediate.
And of course, if you need more personal information on local schools just give me a call or send an email. We have had several of our own kids in local schools and have worked with countless families that are relocating to this area.
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