Archive for April, 2011
Fresh or Frozen Produce: One better than the other?
April 22nd, 2011 categories: Home Life
Chantilly and Centreville area home owners who appreciate gardening may be in full swing by now. And there is no substitute for the freshness that comes with your own garden produce.
But there are a few things about freezing that you may find of interest.
Enhancements in packaging and delivery methods of frozen produce can, in some situations , make frozen more “fresh” and higher in nutrients than what you purchase in the “fresh” section of your supermarket.
Just keep a few things in mind when you choose one vs. the other.
First, the main advantage that frozen produce carries over fresh produce is that frozen produce is picked in its most ripe and most nutrient-rich state. It is then flash-frozen, so the nutrients become locked-in and sealed.
By contrast, fresh produce is typically picked before it’s ripe, and is left to ripen in transit.
Food nutrients degrade with exposure to heat and/or light, so the longer it takes produce to get from the farm to the supermarket, the fewer nutrients the produce will have.
For example, fresh fruit and vegetables might sit for up 2 weeks before they’re sold by your local supermarket. Add to that the time they sit in the consumer’s home.
Another advantage of frozen produce is that it’s often less expensive than fresh fruit. For example,consider the cost of strawberries bought in bulk:
- Frozen strawberries : $1.71 per pound
- Fresh strawberries : $1.90 per pound
This isn’t to say that frozen produce is “better” than fresh produce. It just depends on your circumstance. If you plan to consume the produce within a short period from purchase, and can account for its ripeness and freshness, fresh produce may be preferred. Or, if you eat organic produce, free from pesticides and chemicals — certain produce may be better eaten fresh.
So, frozen does have some advantages depending on these factors.
We are not nutritionists but we are real estate experts, and if you need help with your home purchase or sale, or if you are moving into the Northern Virgina or Western Fairfax region, please let us know and we will be here for you! By the way, if you are moving to the area, we think our web and blog sites are some of the best information sources you will find.
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Building Permits Up In All 4 Regions Of The US
April 20th, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Seller Strategies
We see from a Census Bureau report that seasonally-adjusted, single-family Housing Starts were up in March by 8 percent over February’s 2-year low.
But don’t take this data too literally, because there is a statistical problem in the data’s margin or error.
As noted in the footnotes, there’s no “statistical evidence to conclude that the actual change [in Housing Starts] is different from zero.”
It is possible that housing starts went down or up, given this margin of error.
What may be more noteworthy is Building Permits data. As compared to February, permits were up by 6%. Permits can be a good forward indicator of housing.
After permits are issued, 86 percent of them will typically start construction within 60 days. The implication is that new home sales and housing stock should follow the Building Permits report trend, but on a 2-month delay.
All four regions showed increases last month:
- Northeast : +2.6 %t from February
- Midwest : +10.0 % from February
- South : +5.3 % from February
- West : +5.3 % from February
Amidst all of the other challenges, this may be at least one good piece of information.
Will the market be less favorable for those looking at new construction say five or six months from now? That is certainly possible. In any case if you are looking at homes for sale in Chantilly or elsewhere in Northern Virginia, we will help you get the best deal either on new construction, normal resales, or distressed properties.
Let me know how my team and I can help. We are here for you!
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1031 Exchange Video: When buying another property, know about this option
April 19th, 2011 categories: 1031 Exchange, Buyer Strategies, Seller Strategies
If you are considering buying another property in or out of the Northern Virginia area, you should be aware of the 1031 Exchange process.
It enables the selling of one property and the buying of another with very significant tax advantages if you quality and meet the required legal criteria.
Watch video for an intro to 1031 Exchange.
If you are a Chantilly or Northern Virginia area investor, or simply a home owner who wants to know about options, you should know about 1031. In partnership with one of our Real Estate in Chantilly blog writers, real estate attorney John Pitrelli, we have produced an informative video introduction to the 1031 option. Take time to watch this introduction. You should at least know that this is an option, and many people have used it to their advantage.
Check it out at our Video Center where you may also find other resources that will be helpful.
If you are buying and/or selling property in the Northern Virginia area, or moving to the area, we are here for you!
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It may not feel like it, but big foreclosure drop year-over-year
April 18th, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies
Although it may not “feel” like it, foreclosures are happening at a much slower pace this year than last.
At least that is what a recent report suggests.
RealtyTrac reports that the number of national foreclosure filings dropped 35 percent in March 2011 vs. March 2010.
“Foreclosure filing” includes: a default notice, a scheduled auction, or a bank repossessions. Another interesting fact is that foreclosures filings were down last month in all but 8 States.
As we have seen previously, foreclosures are still clustered in geographical areas. Over half of bank repos are focused on a small number of States.
For example, during March, just 6 states encompassed 51% of the total activity.
- California : 15% of all repossessions
- Florida : 9% of all repossessions
- Arizona : 7% of all repossessions
- Michigan : 7% of all repossessions
- Texas : 6% of all repossessions
- Nevada : 5% of all repossessions
Also to note, is the high proportion of resales that are distressed properties…. almost 40% of all home resales. Those properties are averaging a 15 percent discount when compared to normal sale properties.
Of course you do have to perform due diligence, and that is where I can help if you are moving to Northern Virginia or are living in the area. If you want to find out more about distressed properties in Chantilly or the Northern Virginia area, do let me know and I will get you the information you need. No matter where you are located, I encourage you to get professional help if you are going the distressed property route.
Please understand that when you buy a home from a bank you are in a different ball game. You can get hurt if you are not careful.
So if you are home buying in Chantilly, Centreville, or the Northern Virginia area, please know we are here for you!
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Sleeping well: Healthy Bedroom Environment
April 16th, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Home Life, Seller Strategies
Sleeping well may be one of the most under-rated components to good health, and having a healthy sleep environment is one important part of good sleep.
Check out this 5-minute video from NBC’s The Today Show, and you will get some good tips on what to avoid and what to do to make your bedroom sleep and health friendly.
And if you want to ensure that selling or buying real estate in Chantilly or Northern Virginia is not a source of sleep problems, make sure you choose the right professional help. Please consider us as a resource. We invite you to listen to what others say after having worked with us.
We’d love to be of service to you as well. Let us know how we can help you buy or sell your first or next home in Chantilly or elsewhere in Northern Virginia.
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Chantilly Home for Sale: Sweet Spot at 4508 Lees Corner Road
April 15th, 2011 categories: Featured Listings
If you are taking a look at homes for sale in Chantilly VA, here is one to keep on your radar screen. This very attractive Colonial is located at 4508 Lees Corner Road in Chantilly, Virginia (MLS #FX7574393).
Good looking Colonial at 4508 Lees Corner Road in Chantilly, VA
Is this one of the nicest homes for sale in the Brookfield community? We think so, but come by and take a look and decide for yourself! Let me know if you want to schedule a tour of the property. We’d be happy to let you see why we think this is such an attractive home.
There is a lot to like, but one of the very special features is the huge back deck with Koi Pond and gazebo. It is also nice to see all that open space from the back yard view.
Another very special feature is the open loft on the second floor with the built-in bookshelves. This space has lots of optional uses, depending on your preferences.
Take a minute and do a Visual Tour, and then let us know if you would like more information.
If you have questions or want to see the home in person, just contact Kathy.
By the way, this home is a normal sale property…no foreclosure or short sale hassles. Given the current market, this could make your home buying experience a whole lot easier and safer.
Price: $ 399,900
MLS#: FC 7574393
More information: please click here and you will see the property on our Featured Listings page.
PS – If you are relocating to Northern Virginia, we can get your questions about the area answered quickly.
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Getting Your Northern Virginia Home Ready To Sell: Spring Cleaning Checklist
April 12th, 2011 categories: Home Life, Seller Strategies
Spring has arrived in Chantilly and Centreville! With the warmer weather around the corner homeowners will be eagerly heading outdoors to enjoy the beautiful surroundings our area has to offer. And some will be getting their home ready to put on the market. But before you do so here are a few resources that can make your process all the more efficient and thorough.
This helpful checklist from MarthaStewart.com makes sure no job gets left behind.
From the smallest of chores to the biggest of projects, many common tasks are covered, including:
- Vacuuming and shampooing rugs
- Waxing wooden furniture and non-wood floors
- Dusting books and shelves
- Resealing grout lines in kitchens and bathrooms
- Clean and/or launder window treatments
Then, you’ll want to remember to flip your mattresses, change your air filters, and test your home’s smoke alarm batteries.
Most of the cleaning can be handled with household items like rags and cleansers, but for a few of the items, you may want to rent a machine from a local hardware store or supermarket. Carpet shampooers are a noteworthy example. Rental costs are nominal and the potential time savings are big.
For some, household Spring Cleaning is a one-day affair. For others, it’s a weekend project that lasts a month. However you choose to do it, keep this checklist handy and you’ll have an easier time.
Also, please remember, if your Spring Cleaning is in preparation to sell your home The Kathy O’Neal Team is here for you!! Among many resources on our web sites, I think you will find MARKET SNAPSHOT to be especially helpful. You can use it to find the actual selling prices of homes in your Northern Virginia community. And of course, if you need an estimate of your home’s current market value, just let me know.
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How To Select a Top Northern Virginia Real Estate Agent You Are Comfortable With
April 10th, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance, Seller Strategies
If you are a Northern Virginia home buyer or seller, and would like to know how to select a real estate agent that will be the right choice for you, take the time to carefully watch this video.
- Want a simple set of criteria on selecting a top real estate agent ? Check out this video.
We wanted to give you objective criteria on how to make a really smart choice of real estate agent. It is a major decision, and not everyone already has an agent they know, trust, and respect.
So if you want to reap the benefits of making a good choice, engage in a little “due diligence” and find out what you should avoid and what you should seek out.
I can tell you unequivocally based on over 23 years of working experience, that there are huge differences in the quality of agents. What you do not know can definitely hurt you when it comes to real estate.
Watch this video from start to finish. We would love for you to contact us after watching it, but whatever you do, after seeing this video you will have a set of criteria that we think informed consumers should know about.
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Military Home Buyers : Down To 3 Weeks to Take Advantage of Up To $8,000 in Tax Credits
April 8th, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance
Just a reminder for qualified military or federal employees who are eligible. We are down to 3 weeks from Saturday as the deadline for taking advantage of the federal home buyer tax credit.
It allows you to claim up to $8,000 in federal income tax credits.
We described some of the key details in a previous post, but here is a reminder that time is running out.
Eligible persons include members and spouses of the uniformed services, members and spouses of the Foreign Service, and don’t forget intelligence community employees who served at least 90 days of qualified, extended duty service outside of the United States between January 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010, and their spouses.
As an eligible person, you must be under contract for a new home on or before April 30, 2011, with the home’s closing occurring on or before June 30, 2011.
If you are a repeat buyer you must have lived in your “main home” through 5 of the last 8 years in order to be considered eligible.
Here are some of the other key eligibility criteria that the property and the buyer must conform to:
- Can’t purchase home from a parent, spouse, or child
- Can’t purchase home from an entity in which the seller is a majority owner
- Can’t acquire home by gift or inheritance
- Sale price can’t exceed $800,000
- Buyers can’t earn more than $125,000 as single-filers; $225,000 as joint-filers
You’ll find the complete program description on the IRS website.
If you are relocating to Northern Virginia, or are in the area and want to see if you can still find a property within the deadline time, let me know and I will be glad to assist with more information. We are always here for you!
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Good Information If Moving To Northern Virginia
April 6th, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Home Life, Seller Strategies
Many Chantilly and Centreville home owners are no strangers to long commutes.
You may find this data from the American Community Survey (ACS) of interest. It is based on data from 3 million households, and includes average commute time along with lots of data “for every community in the nation“.
You will find information that includes:
- Median Household Income, Inflation-Adjusted To 2009 Dollars (Chart)
- Median Housing Value Of Owner-Occupied Housing Units (Chart)
- Percent Of Households That Are Married, With Children Under 18 (Chart)
The survey data also gives you average commute time by county. (Also see chart at top.)
This information is potentially useful to Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home buyers and sellers, or those relocating to Northern Virginia, because it provides lots of neighborhood information. Also know that if you need home price information on Northern Virginia homes that have sold, do take advantage of our MARKET SNAPSHOT tool. It will give you actual sold prices of homes in Northern Virginia neighborhoods. Great to know if you are relocating, or looking at homes in a particular community within this area.
And, if you are moving into the Northern Virginia area, visit our Area Living as well as the School Reports pages of our website. We are here for you, so let us know if we can help!
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