Archive for February, 2011
Before You Remodel In Preparation To Sell: Know What To Avoid
February 22nd, 2011 categories: Home Life, Seller Strategies
There is a lot of home remodeling going on in Northern Virginia and elsewhere.
By some estimates there may be over $125 billion spent this quarter in home remod projects. Yes, that is an incredible number.
You want to be real careful if you are doing this to get your home ready to sell.
Not all renovations are created equal. Some may not be “worth it”, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2011 Cost vs Value report.
The real kicker is that some projects should never be started — they may cause your home to be difficult or impossible to sell.
One quick example is installing a new toilet that requires the discharge pipes to run along the living room ceiling. Re-engineer that or forget it.
An article on CNNMoney.com mentions several others projects you should never do:
- Don’t add a 4th/5th bedroom to a home with just one bathroom.
- Don’t build a bedroom with no closet space.
- Don’t make common rooms disproportionately large or small to one another.
When working with sellers, I always provide my own view on factors that impact “salability” and when appropriate, we get other experts in to help the seller make sound decisions on remod projects. I also believe strongly in the need for proper home staging, so I work with a home staging professional to provide a free consultation and set of recommendations to my clients.
If you need referrals on local home improvement contractors, don’t hesitate to call me and I will be glad to share names of folks we have to be found reliable and quality service providers.
And of course, if you are considering the sale of your home and want a personal consultation, we are here for you.
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Community Spotlight: London Towne West – Centreville, Virginia Area
February 19th, 2011 categories: Centreville Area
Our community profile for this week is London Towne West in the area of Centreville, Virginia.
London Towne in the Centreville, VA area
London Towne in the Centreville VA area is a development of town homes very close to Country Club Manor near Route 29 and Stone Road, and well situated in relation to Centreville and Chantilly employment destinations.
Here are CURRENT LISTINGS in London Towne West.
PLEASE NOTE: Several small communities may have periods when no properties are on the market. Also note that in the current market, the price range of properties may vary from time to time depending on market conditions. If you see no properties listed in the above link, and have questions regarding current price range, don’t hesitate to contact Kathy. You can also use our PROPERTY SEARCH tool to get regular updates on current and new properties for sale.
- If you have an interest in FORECLOSURES, SHORT SALES, and BANK OWNED properties, we also invite you to contact us and we will give you information on whatever is available. You can find some exceptional values, and then again you can also find yourself in a situation you had not bargained for. We will help you with good information so you can make your own informed choices with solid support.
Here are a few other links that will give you more information about this community and others in this general area:
MORE INFORMATION ON LONDON TOWNE WEST.
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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Fed Minutes Say Lower Unemployment And Higher Growth For 2011 and 2012
February 16th, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance, Seller Strategies
If you watch the Fed minutes, the last release was its January 25-26, 2011 meeting minutes.
Fed Minutes are detailed recaps of the Federal Open Market Committee meetings. They are not a trivial matter, as they help shape national monetary policy.
The minutes are a clue book about the direction of policy-making. Right now they are saying the potential for food and energy inspired inflation is a minor economic risk, but indicated a willingness and capacity to act it that assessment changes. Many economists feel that the Fed will not start adjusting the Fed Funds Rate until late this year, or early next year.
What does all of this have to do with real estate in Chantilly and Northern Virginia? Well, interest rates have been creeping up over the past few months, but they are still extremely attractive. We always counsel our buyers and sellers based on the set of factors that are unique to their goals and current realities. At any given time, there are always some advantages and disadvantages to the prevailing real estate market.
The critical thing when making important decisions like putting your home on the market, buying a home, or any other real estate transaction is to look beyond the immediate moment and make decisions that have wisdom and insight. You can never foretell what the next year will bring. But you can make common sense decisions that have staying power. That is what we help our buyers and sellers do. Let us know if we can help you.
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Outer Banks Investor Video Series: Manteo and Roanoke Island
February 4th, 2011 categories: Outer Banks Focus, Uncategorized
If you have been looking at North Carolina’s Outer Banks for real estate investment, part-time or full-time living, or a second home for future retirement, this series on “The Communities of the Outer Banks” will add to your knowledge of OBX real estate and lifestyle.
This video describes real estate investment possibilities in Roanoke Island and the town of Manteo, along with giving you a sense of the lifestyle in these communities.
If you have an interest in other parts of the Outer Banks, check out our Video Series of Outer Banks communities.
In our brief profiles of Outer Banks communities, we take you on location to talk about the distinctive features of these locations with special emphasis on helping real estate investors interested in OBX property.
Also, if you are seriously considering a real estate investment in the Outer Banks, do listen to our 6 Part Series on the realities of OBX investment. It can be a great investment move, but don’t go into it without due diligence. We help you separate reality from hype so that your OBX move is based on solid research and good sense.
And of course we invite your follow-up questions if you want details on properties for sale in the Roanoke Island or Manteo area, or elsewhere in OBX. And…if you are a Northern Virginia resident wanting to know more about the OBX, please know that you have a highly experienced team with Kathy O’Neal right here is Northern Virginia and our strategic partner in the Outer Banks, Barb Connery.
We are here for you!
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