Author Archive
Very Sharp Centreville Home For Sale At 14202 Wood Rock Way
September 13th, 2011 categories: Centreville Area, Featured Listings
Looking for your first, or next home in the Centreville VA area?
14202 Wood Rock Way - Centreville, VA 20121
If you are looking for a single family home for sale in a very nice Centreville location, in the price range of $365,000, here is one to check out.
Located at 14202 Wood Rock Way (Centreville, VA 20121), this 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home has a list of really attractive features.
You can take a very fast Visual Tour right now, and if you would like to know more, or have any questions at all, just let me know.
This is NOT a foreclosed or distressed property, so you won’t have to deal with those potential hazards.
Please be in touch if you want to know more!
Price: $365,000
MLS#: FX 7681798
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.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Weatherizing Your Home With Caulk
September 13th, 2011 categories: Home Life
It is a good time of year to do a little caulking so you can have more comfort and savings during the winter months.
You can lose a huge amount of of heat through those gaps and openings around doors and windows.
This brief tutorial from Lowe’s will give you some very useful information on simple preventative measures to take. It is worth your time to check it out.
To weatherize your windows and doors you simply follow this 3-step process:
- Find the air leaks
- Clean the surface of existing caulk and debris
- Seal surface with new caulk, and clean-up
As you will see, this is not a big technical job.
If you’d like professional help weatherizing your home, let me know and I will provide a few referrals.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Fine Centreville Home For Sale at 5464 Braddock Ridge Drive
September 13th, 2011 categories: Chantilly Fairfax County, Featured Listings
If you are a home buyer looking at homes for sale in the Centreville, Virginia area, here is one you should know about.
5464 Braddock Ridge Drive - Centreville, VA 20120
Well located at 5464 Braddock Ridge Drive in Centreville, this attractive home has a lot to like.
The house sparkles and has 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, and sits on a full 1/3 acre lot… not very common in the immediate area.
If you are looking in this area, take a quick Visual Tour so that you can determine whether a visit to the property is your next step.
If you would like to know more, or have any questions at all, just let me know.
And of course, if you want to tour the home, please contact me and we’ll work out a time that will work for you.
This is a normal sale home….no headaches or heartaches hiding behind the administrative process.
Please be in touch if you want to know more!
Price: $410,000
MLS#: FX 7681625
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.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Make Better-Tasting Food On Your Grill
August 28th, 2011 categories: Home Life
Labor Day is nearing; the unofficial end of summer across Northern Virginia. If you’re among the many Americans planning an end-of-season barbecue, you’ll want to make sure your grill is clean.
A clean grill makes better tasting food.
There are several ways to clean a grill but, for owners of gas grills, the first step always is to disconnect the gas source.
Next, open your grill and remove its metal pieces. This includes grates, trays and flame guards. Take these pieces to your kitchen. If the oven has a self-cleaning mechanism, place the items in your oven and let it “self-clean”. As the temperature reaches 900 degrees or more, residue will literally fall off your grill parts.
Be sure to wipe clean your oven once the cycle completes.
If your oven is not self-cleaning, wash the grill parts in your sink using hot water and detergent. You’ll want to soak the parts in soapy water if they’re especially dirty. Once clean, allow the parts to air dry.
Then, return to your grill and using a wire brush, scrape the residue from the sides, top and bottom of the appliance. Again, using a soapy hot water mixture, wash and wipe down the inside of the grill. Rinse it clean once the residue is removed.
Re-assemble your grill.
Lastly, reconnect the gas source (if applicable) and allow the grill to burn for 5 minutes. This will burn off any lingering residue from the cleaning process, including soap and detergent.
And that’s it!
Plan on cleaning your grill at least twice annually with heavy use.
If you would like to be grilling in your new home this time next year and are interested in moving to the Centreville/Chantilly area please know that I am here to help. Our website has many useful tools for home buying and you can contact me directly with any questions. Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!
| Discussion: No Comments »
Chantilly Home For Sale: A Genuine Stand-Out at 4360 Silas Hutchinson Drive
August 12th, 2011 categories: Chantilly Fairfax County, Featured Listings
This Chantilly home for sale is a real stand-out!
A stand-out at 4360 Silas Hutchinson Drive in Chantilly VA 20151
Nicely located in the community of Pleasant Valley, this exceptionally well-cared for home at 4360 Silas Hutchinson Drive in Chantilly, Virginia (20151) is super clean.
The lot is also above average. Just like the home, it is well-maintained, elegant, and has the feeling of being fresh and new.
If you are searching homes for sale in the Chantilly or surrounding area, take a quick Visual Tour and you can get a sense of what this home has to offer. If you have questions, just let me know. If you want to see this home in person, please contact me and we’ll arrange a showing.
Also, please be aware this home is a normal sale property. You won’t have the stresses and challenges associated with distressed properties.
We are here if you want to know anything more about this exceptionally attractive home. I believe it will make its next owner very happy!
Price: $419,900
MLS#: FX 7659681
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.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Removing Stains From Your Furniture
August 8th, 2011 categories: Home Life
Your home furniture can be a big investment. If you have ever wondered how to deal with spills and stains, here is a set of recommendations
from Martha Stewart. Think of them as first-aid for your home furnishings.
Wood
• Moisture “rings”: Pour table salt on the white rings/haze and cover with a terry cloth. Apply hair dryer on low setting until rings are gone.
• Alcohol spills: Blot spills immediately, do not rub. Apply small amounts of ammonia to damage.
• Wax spills: Allow to cool and harden, then freeze the wax with an ice cube in a sandwich bag. Use a butter knife to gently scrape off wax.
Fabric
• Red wine stains: Cover wine with table salt and let sit until salt has wicked up the wine. Vacuum salt and repeat, as necessary.
Blot remaining stains with damp cloth and dish soap.
• General spills: Repeatedly blot with a damp white cloth. Use white cloths to prevent dye transfer.
• Oil spills: Cover spill with baking soda and vacuum once absorbed. Blot remaining stains with rubbing alcohol
Leather
• General stains: Blot with all-purpose household cleaner. To prevent fading in the upholstery, avoid products with bleach or bleach alternatives.
• Scratches: Apply saddle soap to a damp cloth and rub the scratch to help it “blend in”. It won’t go away.
Also, a tip on leather furniture: forget touch-up kits or colored markers. It’s nearly impossible to match leather colors and your repair work will likely make the problem more noticeable.
If you are thinking about your home’s appearance in preparation for the possibility of selling here is the Northern Virginia area (or moving here from elsewhere), please know that I am here to help. Our websites have lots of tools, and you can contact me directly with any questions. We are always here for you!
| Discussion: No Comments »
Chantilly Home Safety: Be Careful With That Home Project
August 5th, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Home Life, Seller Strategies
According to the BuildFax Remodeling Index, people are doing lots of remodelling projects.
They report that for the 19th straight month, their May index rose.
If you are doing projects on your own, do be aware of safety. Many preventable accidents happen because basic safety precautions are not taken. Some of these accidents can be very serious…like falling off a ladder.
Check out this 5-minute video from NBC’s The Today Show. Being aware of the basic precautions mentioned could save you a lot of trouble.
The insights include:
- Use “expandable” earplugs to prevent hearing loss from power tools.
- Don’t wear sneakers or sandals. Wear construction boots.
- Never stand on the top 2 steps of a ladder.
Also, don’t forget the safety glasses. Eye problems are the number one injury as reported by home remodelers, and it is important to realize they can happen anytime.
Here is the video from the NBC website.
As always, if you need a referral for professional help to do a project, contact me and I will provide a few names.
Whether you are buying or selling, or just considering either or both, we are always here for you!
| Discussion: No Comments »
Pending Home Sales Up For 3rd Straight Month
July 31st, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Seller Strategies
Whenever I notice some positive news for Northern Virginia area home buyers and sellers, I like to share it.
Here is an interesting fact that you may not have heard about.
On a seasonally-adjusted basis, the Pending Home Sales Index rose 2 percent last month to reach its highest level since March.
A “pending home sale” is a home under contract to sell, but not yet closed.
The forward-looking Pending Home Sales Index is up 11 percent from its low of the year.
Of course,these stats are not necessarily useful for Chantilly area home buyers. To get more locally helpful info the Pending Home Sales Index report includes a region-by-region breakdown.
Between May and June 2011, the results were uneven:
- Northeast Region: -0.4%
- Midwest Region : -3.7%
- South Region : +4.4%
- West Region : +6.4%
Even the regional data does not tell the full story.
For example, the West Region showed big gains in June, but it is comprised of multiple states containing thousands of cities and towns. Some areas did well, others did not.
It is the highly local data that matters.
And for that, we are always a resource to provide you with a clear sense of what is going on in the areas of Northern Virgina where you have an interest. Let us know how we can help. And by the way, we invite you to use our free MARKET SNAPSHOT tool to get a fix on actual selling prices of homes in your Northern Virginia neighborhood of interest.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Keep Your Front-Loading Washing Machine Fresh
July 30th, 2011 categories: Home Life
Chantilly home owners with front-loading washing machines probably realize that they have several advantages in making this choice:
- They wash more clothes per cycle, helping lower energy costs.
- They use less water per cycle.
- They are easier on clothes, preserving color and fabric.
But they do require a bit more cleaning care. They can pool water in their drums, which creates complications like bacteria and mildew build-up, along with the odor that this creates.
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the benefits and avoid the liabilities of front-loading machines.
First, use High efficiency detergent. The lower volume of suds from these detergents will mean less chemicals and other elements within the detergent to remain in the drum.
Second, about once weekly wipe the inside rim with a dry cloth. You typically will find a plastic tube where water settles.
Your unit may have a drain filter around the lower edge of the front of the machine. If it does, remove it so the water can drain.
Third, occasionally run a cycle with the machine empty, with only water and bleach. If the machine has a smell, this will help remove it.
You can also leave the front door open after you finish a wash load, to circulate fresh air and help the excess water to evaporate.
As always, we are here to serve Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home buyers and sellers with our signature personal and state-of-the-art service. Let us know how we can help!
| Discussion: No Comments »
With 3.7 Million Homes For Sale, Is Your Home Standing Out?
July 19th, 2011 categories: Seller Strategies
If you are considering putting your Chantilly home on the market, it is important to be aware that you are in competition with other home sellers.
Nationally, there are more than 3.7 million homes for sale this month. You can see home important it is to have your Northern Virginia home be presented in its best light.
This 4-minute video from NBC’s The Today Show, titled “5 Mistakes Sellers Can’t Afford To Make” has lots of practical advice to help your home show well.
In the current market, it really is critical to have an effective strategy to sell your home, and its appearance is one vital dimension of getting it sold for your best price.
Some of the insights include:
- Why you should list your home at a price within 5 percent of its “true value”
- How to respond to “low ball” offers
- How to select the right agent to sell your home (also…check our video on “How To Select The Right Real Estate Agent“)
There are also some terrific points about how to effectively use good images for your online marketing.
It can be tough to find buyers in any market, but if you follow the tips outlined above, you can get more showings, and do more with them.
If you do see the sale of your Northern Virginia home in the future, please know that we are here to support you in any way possible. Also, you can take advantage of MARKET SNAPSHOT to discover the actual selling prices of homes in your Northern Virginia neighborhood.
| Discussion: No Comments »
