Archive for November, 2009
Centreville Presbyterian Church Presenting “Amahl and the Night Visitors”
November 30th, 2009 categories: Community Life
Centreville Presbyterian Church is really putting some effort and creativity into their musical production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” 
If you live in the Chantilly or Centreville area, you probably have driven by the church, located just west of the intersection of Lee Highway and Pleasant Valley Road.
If you are looking to take the family on a special Christmas type event this year, consider attending one of the two showings of “Amahl,” on Saturday, December 5 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 6 at 2:30 PM. Ticket are $10.00.
From what I have heard, they went “all out” this year to create a memorable and moving production that will touch your heart. Call the church for more information (703 830-0098) or visit their website.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Community Spotlight: Waverly Crossing in Chantilly, Virginia
November 27th, 2009 categories: Chantilly Fairfax County
Our community profile for this week is Waverly Crossing in the Chantilly, Virginia area.
Waverly Crossing is an established community of mostly single family homes. It is situated near the intersection of Route 50 and Galesbury Road, near the Greenbriar Shopping Center. Also check out the nearby communities of Franklin Farm, and Armfield Farm.
WAVERLY CROSSING IN CHANTILLY (VIRGINIA) AREA
Here are CURRENT LISTINGS IN WAVELY CROSSING.
Please note that if you do not see any listings for sale in the above link, it is typically because there are none listed at that time.
If you want more information on properties in Waverly Crossing or any area communities, or 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 WAVERLY CROSSING.
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.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Looking at a 15-Year Mortgage: Basic Considerations
November 25th, 2009 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance
Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home buyers, as well as home owners, who have been thinking about the issue of financing or re-financing their new or current home should at least be aware of the 15-year mortgage option. Take a careful look and see if it could work for you.
Currently, the 15-year/30-year interest rate spread is near its 5-year high.
Of course, higher monthly payments is part of the 15-year mortgage. The principal is paid down in half the time, so naturally the payments are higher.
There is another price to pay. Because you are paying so much more principle (a good thing), you are not able to get as much on itemized deductions come tax time. You may consider that a small price to pay, but it is important to be aware of it, and factor it into your decision process.
Also to consider is the amount of that larger payment each month. If you want to change it, you will likely need to go through a refinance process again, and doing so will cost you.
As a ballpark figure, at today’s rates, a 15-year fixed and 30-year fixed is $230 per $100,000 borrowed. Interest rates changes so check what is current. And of course, call us if we can help with a few referrals for mortgage professionals.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Late Breaking Help For Thanksgiving Dinner!
November 24th, 2009 categories: Home Life
We don’t want any of our Real Estate in Chantilly readers to be stuck at the very last minute with their Thanksgiving menu!
So…here is a late breaking assist if you are still in a lurch regarding what to do for your guests on Thanksgiving Day.
Start by clicking on through Bon Appetit’s Thanksgiving Menu Planner.
You will be asked these 3 simple questions, and then the good folks at Bon Appetit will give you some nice options.
- For how many people are you cooking?
- How much time do you have to cook?
- What’s your style?
The options run the spectrum from easy and simple (Pumpkin Pie with Spiced Whipped Cream) to much more elaborate (Herb Roasted Turkey with Apple Cider Gravy). And vegetarians are not left out either.
So don’t panic…you can still put something nice together, especially if you keep it simple.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Relocating? What To Know Before Hiring A Moving Service! (Part 4)
November 23rd, 2009 categories: Buyer Strategies, PODCASTS, Seller Strategies
EPISODE 27 – REAL ESTATE IN CHANTILLY
If you are relocating to the Northern Virginia area, or making a local move, you may be looking for a moving company.
In this series on how to hire a good moving company we discuss what informed home sellers and buyers should know before they start looking for a moving service.
If you start shopping for a moving service online, there are several things to be aware of so you don’t wind having a bad experience with a less than professional company.
In this fourth episode of the series, we discuss typical scenarios in which consumers looking for a reputable moving service start with the Internet. If you begin your search this way, what must you be careful about? How do you avoid unpleasant surprises both in charges you were not anticipating as well as poor service? What are the “red flags” that are signals for “trouble ahead?” Once you know what to avoid you will be in a better position to hire a reliable and honest mover.
Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home owners who see a move upcoming, as well as anyone moving into the Northern Virginia area, will benefit from the honest and straightforward insights of someone who is working inside the moving industry.
Don’t miss the entire series!
Download this episode (right click and save)
| Discussion: No Comments »
Video – Removing Stains From Granite and Keeping It Clean
November 21st, 2009 categories: Home Life
In Northern Virginia’s new home construction, granite countertops are popular, add beauty, and definitely enhance the home in terms of resale attractiveness. 
But there are a few easy things to know about keeping the surface looking good.
Staining is always a concern, so take a look at this 2-minute video from eHow.com to get simple tips on cleaning and removing stains.
You might not have the solutions recommended in the video, but you can get them easily.
If you’d prefer something in writing to assist your granite cleaning work, just go to the eHow.com website.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Looking for a Foreclosure Deal in Northern Virginia?
November 18th, 2009 categories: Buyer Strategies
Some Northern Virginia home buyers are especially interested in the foreclosure opportunities. And there are still opportunities, but on the other hand, maybe not as many.
Previously we have talked about the national foreclosure stats showing a very heavy concentration of the foreclosures in a small number of states.
This has been the pattern for about eight straight months now.
As noted by RealtyTrac.com, more than half of October’s foreclosure-related activity came from 4 states:
- California
- Florida
- Illinois
- Michigan
In addition to the above states, rounding out the Top 10 states for total foreclosure activity we also have Arizona, Georgia, Texas, Ohio, New Jersey, and Maryland.
Foreclosures are up 19 percent from last October and that is not good. But on the bright side, the RealtyTrac report reveals two positive developments:
- Foreclosure activity is down 3 percent from last month
- Foreclosures per household decreased in 9 of the 10 most heavily concentrated states
Nevada has been hard hit, but its foreclosure pace is down 4% from last year. This is a real positive for Nevada because it has led the nation in foreclosure-related activity. Until last month, Nevada’s year-to-year foreclosure rate hadn’t dropped off in nearly 4 years.
From my vantages point here in Northern Virginia, it seems way soon to say that the foreclosure deals are dwindling, but it may also be true that the really good deals are harder to come by. Between first-time buyers and honest-to-goodness investors, a lot of property has been sold.
According to one report, distressed homes account for nearly one-third of home resale activity.
Of course, buying a foreclosure in definitely not for everyone. There are lots of potential complications that I let my buyers know about, so that they can make informed choices. For example, you have to be careful that the cost of repairs and other “rehabing” issues does not negate the potential savings. There are also time issues to contend with, as well as other potential administrative complications.
If foreclosures are interesting to you, take a look at the foreclosure heat maps on the RealtyTrac website. If you like what you see, ask your real estate agent about it, and if you are situated in the Northern Virginia area, or moving here, of course let me know how I can help.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Relocating? What You Must Know Before Hiring A Moving Service! (Part 3)
November 13th, 2009 categories: Buyer Strategies, PODCASTS, Seller Strategies
EPISODE 26 – REAL ESTATE IN CHANTILLY
If you are relocating to the Northern Virginia area, or making a local move, you may be looking for a moving company.
In this series on how to hire a good moving company we discuss what informed home sellers and buyers should know before they start looking for a moving service, how to avoid fraud from “rouge movers” and other scams, as well as how to know good price and value.
In this third episode of the series, we start with the one “big secret” that a reputable moving service would love you to check out, but that a poorer quality company will want you to avoid like the plague.
We also discuss the biggest misperception consumers have about the claims process, should you experience damage or loss during your move.
Also, what will your move cost? What are typical price ranges for moving services? How negotiable are prices? What about very “low ball” estimates? Are there potential problems behind promises of extremely low costs?
Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home owners who see a move upcoming, as well as anyone moving into the Northern Virginia area, will benefit from the honest and straightforward insights of someone who is working inside the moving industry.
Don’t miss the entire series!
Download this episode (right click and save)
| Discussion: No Comments »
First-time Home Buyers Tax Credit Program is Extended (and Expanded)
November 12th, 2009 categories: Buyer Strategies, Seller Strategies
The First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit program has been of great interest to Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home buyers.
As a regular routine here at The Kathy O’Neal Team, I talk to my home buyers about the appropriateness of this program for them, and of course when it works we go for it.
The good news this week is that this program has been continued, and expanded.
The tax credit (up to $8,000) has been moved forward to spring. It requires that buyers be under contract by April 30, 2010. They must have the closed settlement by June 30, 2010.
The basic requirement have not changed:
- Buyers can’t purchase the home from parents, spouse, or child
- Buyers can’t purchase the home from an entity in which they’re a majority owner
- Buyers can’t acquire the home by gift or inheritance
- Everyone who is part of the purchase must meet the eligibility requirements
In addition to these items there are a few news things to know about. From the standpoint of eligibility, they are positives.
“First-time buyers” now includes most home owners who have at least 5 years of residence in their current home. This opens the program to home owners who want to move-up. The tax credit cap for these buyers is $6,500.
So the program is now expanded beyond pure first-time home buyers.
A few other changes to be aware of are:
- The purchase property’s sales price can’t be more than $800,000
- The purchase property must be a primary residence
- The income requirements are expanded. Now it is $125,000 for single-filers and $225,500 for joint-filer
Also, know that this program provides for a real tax credit, not a simple deduction. For example, if your normal tax liability is $6,000, and under the program you quality for the entire $8,000, you get a nice $2,000 check from the Treasury Department
You can get more detailed info from the IRS website.
If you have tax questions check with a qualified tax professional. If you have any real estate questions that I can help you with, just let me know.
Remember too that the program has time limits. So if this looks like a winner for you, do get started!
It will be over before you know it.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Honoring All Veterans!
November 11th, 2009 categories: Community Life
We would not let the day pass without offering our sincerest gratitude to all Veterans.
We salute all Veterans today...and everyday.
At The Kathy O’Neal Team, we have the privilege of helping our clients achieve one part of the American Dream. In so doing, I am reminded of the cost of the freedom we enjoy. It has come at a very high price.
Our Veteran’s, as well as the men and women in current active and reserve service, are protecting that freedom, and at great sacrifice.
We have served many military families and veterans over the years, and it is always a great privilege. If you are a Veteran, or currently are in the military, please know we are deeply grateful for all you have done and are doing. God bless you and your family!
| Discussion: No Comments »
