VIDEO : BEFORE YOU CALL THE PLUMBER, FIX THE AEREATOR
June 15th, 2009 categories: Home Life
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LOWER CONSUMER CONFIDENCE, HIGHER HOMES SALES: THERE IS AN EXPLANATION
February 16th, 2009 categories: Buyer Strategies, Real Estate Psychology, Seller Strategies
I am not sure where consumer confidence is for Chantilly and Northern Virginia home buyers. Given the traditional strength of our local economy, maybe it is much better than the national average for Consumer Confidence which fell this month for the first time in three months.
This is not much of a surprise, given the daily mantra of rough economic news. When something is repeated consistently enough, and believed, it takes on the dynamics of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
In spite of this, could we be seeing the faint glimmer of a housing revival? I know, there are so many current and “in the wings” foreclosures that any “revival” may seem a long way off. So maybe “revival” is way too strong a word.
At the same time, sales of existing homes are on the rise and an increasing number of homes are under contract to sell. To interpret these statistical reports we are well advised to remember the “action-reaction” tendency that we see in nature as well as social systems. The idea is that a sharp reaction eventually results in a counter-reaction. As home prices decline, not everyone will respond by staying out of housing. Some will react, as many are now doing, by seeing the decline as their entry point.
In this way cycles are perpetuated. Cause and effect is a pretty powerful principle. Not every home buyer knows they are supposed to react with fear and avoid the opportunity!
For example, consider the other forces that are part of the current economic turbulence:
- In some markets, home values have declined to early-2000 levels
- Government interventions have brought mortgage rates to near-5 percent
- Congress is pledging more support for housing, and a housing credit is part of the impending stimulus package.
Two points are worth considering as you watch the economic drama play on. First, cycles and the “action-reaction” tendency of human behavior and human systems is ever present. Gloom and doom eventually gives way to boom and zoom. And the second, to make good home buying and selling decisions look to all of the important factors in your own life, and not to the “programmed” mindset, especially the steady stream of “news” which seems like it is edited to ensure that only negative information gets through the screening filter.
One’s confidence is far too precious to be determined by something outside your own good judgment.
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: CEDAR CREST IN LOUDOUN COUNTY
February 5th, 2009 categories: Chantilly Loudoun Cnty
This week we spotlight a smaller community that has bigger homes.
The luxury homes in Cedar Crest are on 3-acre lots. Located near the western edge of Fairfax County, but within Loudoun County, this community usually does not have more than a few homes for sale at any given time. But if this is your price range and location, it would 
be good to at least know about these homes. The links below will get you started. Please let us know if you want additional information.
Here is a QUICK LOOK AT CEDAR CREST HOMES FOR SALE. You can click on the house icon within the map and you’ll get more details on that property.
Take a look at a COMPLETE PROFILE OF THIS COMMUNITY.
Take a look at MANY COMMUNITIES WITHIN THIS REGION.
Moving into the Northern Virginia area? Vist our RELO CENTER.
Would you like a list of current “hot deals” and foreclosures in the area? Just CONTACT US with this request and we’ll get it to you.
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HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME IN A CHALLENGING MARKET: THE MARKETING PROCESS – STRATEGY 6
February 4th, 2009 categories: PODCASTS
EPISODE 5 – REAL ESTATE IN CHANTILLY RADIO
Successfully selling your home in the current environment is about mastering the “fundamentals.”
Some are “new” fundamentals and some are “old” fundamentals. But new or old, home sellers who are having a better time of it in the current market are engaging in a process that is getting the job
done in an environment that has challenges.
In this episode, Kathy O’Neal offers several “big picture” guidelines that address the marketing aspect of successful home selling. If you have a home sale in your future, don’t miss these “must do” items that are part of mastering the fundamentals.
To get the full benefit of all the strategies, we invite you to listen to the other episodes in this series: Episode 1, Episode 2, and Episode 3, and Episode 4.
[To listen to this and other episodes please either click the audio player above, or download the episode.]
Download this episode (right click and save)
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ITALIAN RESTAURANT WORTH DISCOVERING IN CENTREVILLE-CHANTILLY AREA
February 3rd, 2009 categories: Community Life
If you can’t live without the occasional (or frequent) pleasure of good Italian food then you will want to know about the Pacino Ristorante located in the Village Shopping Center at the intersection of Braddock Rd. and Stone Rd. in the Centreville and Chantilly area.
PACINO RESTORANTE - 5655 STONE ROAD - CENTREVILLE, VA
On a recent visit I had opportunity to chat with owner Sam Z. Having enjoyed Pacino’s distinctive pizza style, I’d thought I’d share this gem with our blog viewers.
A few basics first:
Cuisine: Lengthy menu of Italian standards accented by Mediterranean specialties.
Location: Within the Village Shopping Center at the intersection of Braddock Rd. and Stone Rd. From Route 29, turn on Stone Rd. and proceed to Braddock Rd.
Phone: 703 222-5885
Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM, Friday – 11 AM to 11 PM, Saturday – 9 AM to 11 PM, Sunday – 9 AM to 9 PM
Lunch Buffet: Monday to Friday, 11 AM to 3 PM
Catering Service: Pacino’s does on-site and off-site catering for weddings, parties, special events. Menu can be customized to your preference. A dining room is available for all special events, and the entire restaurant can also be reserved .
DINING ROOM FOR SPECIAL EVENTS AT PACINO'S RISTORANTE
Describing his approach, Sam puts it this way: ”I started from the bottom in the restaurant business and worked my way up. I wanted to start my own restaurant where I could make great food and treat people the way I want to be treated when I go to a restaurant. So we always do what is best for our customers..fresh, quality ingredients, carefully made.” It is nice to see this level of passion and conviction centered around genuine concern for the customer.
Sam has built a loyal customer base which includes many local residents who come back regularly. ”I really love getting to know my customers. When they come here I just want them to feel completely relaxed. They know they are welcome..they know how much we care about giving them the best food.”
Another feature that keeps people coming back is Pacino’s prices. “I want people to come back, so we work hard to keep everything affordable. And we are generous with our portions. I don’t want anyone leaving hungry!”
PACINO'S OWNER: HIS RECIPE IS FRESHNESS, QUALITY, & VALUE.
- BUFFET FOR LUNCH AND SPECIAL EVENTS
If you are in the area and want a hearty lunch, Pacino’s runs their buffet Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Typically it includes 8 entrees, pizza, and salad for $8.50. Also of note, Pacino’s has an attractive reserved dining room that works great for special events, club meetings, parties and other occasions.
So, if you have never visited Pacino’s, next time you have that “must have” feeling for good Italian cooking, give Pacino’s a try. You won’t spend a fortune, but you will eat very well.
ONE OF SEVERAL DINING ROOMS
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HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME IN A CHALLENGING MARKET: SELECTING THE BEST AGENT FOR YOU – STRATEGY 5
January 26th, 2009 categories: PODCASTS, Seller Strategies
EPISODE 4 – REAL ESTATE IN CHANTILLY RADIO
The current market presents challenging conditions for home sellers. That said, some sellers are having significantly more success than others. Why?This is the question Kathy O’Neal has been addressing in this series. She offers seven very specific strategies that characterize how the most successful home sellers are getting their homes sold.
Kathy O’Neal answers these questions in today’s show.
To get the full benefit of all the strategies, we invite you to listen to the other episodes in this series: Episode 1, Episode 2, and Episode 3.
Download this episode (right click and save)
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FSBO GUIDELINES – “KNOW REALITY” IS BETTER THAN “NO REALITY”
November 18th, 2008 categories: Seller Strategies
Most home sellers get their property sold using a broker and real estate agent. A small percentage go the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) route.
I may not have a perfectly objective view on this, but I can offer realistic guidelines. Read the rest of this entry »
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COX FARMS: A CHANTILLY TRADITION
November 15th, 2008 categories: Centreville Area, Chantilly Fairfax County, Chantilly Loudoun Cnty, Community Life, Nearby Communities
Cox Farms is a Chantilly tradition. The familiar sign marquee at the intersection of Braddock and Pleasant Valley Roads, with the occasional humorous message, is a Chantilly landmark in its own right.
Pumpkins galore at Cox Farms Annual Fall Festival
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TODAY…AND EVERYDAY…WE SALUTE OUR MILITARY!
November 11th, 2008 categories: Community Life
This Veteran’s Day would not be complete for our team without honoring those who have previously served or are currently serving in our military. Read the rest of this entry »
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