Memorial Day Tribute - 05/30/11 12:28 PM
We have the privilege of serving many military families in Northern Virginia, and doing so is an honor.
On this Memorial Day we salute all of our currently serving military men and women and their families.  Please know we at The Kathy O'Neal Team are mindful of your service and we are deeply appreciative, every day of the year.  There would be no "American Dream" without those who serve in defense of our liberties. On this day we especially give tribute to those who have served and given their lives from the start of this great nation until the present. In … (0 comments)

Weed and Pest Control With Natural Methods - 05/28/11 02:09 PM
 
If you want to keep your Chantilly or Northern Virginia home garden in good shape by controlling weeds and pests, but don't like the strong chemicals, take a few minutes to watch this video.
Suggestions you will find in the video include:
Use of flowering nectar-bearing plants to keep "good " insects Use of electronic repellents and netting to deter pests Get the birds on your side...add a bird feeder to your yard There are a number of other good ideas as well.
Keep in mind that "organic" doesn't always mean "greener."
Limited use of chemical products may be the best … (2 comments)

Recent floods: A reminder about flood insurance - 05/22/11 03:44 PM
The recent flood disasters are a reminder of the monumental damage that can occur when flood waters get out of hand.
These tragedies are not limited to high risk areas
According to FloodSmart.gov, floods are the #1 most common disaster in the United States.
About $709 million in flood insurance claims were paid out in 2010, but keep in mind that over a third of that went to people who do not live in "high risk" areas.
It is probably the last thing on your mind, but the recent national floods are a reminder about the issue of flood insurance.  If … (0 comments)

Home Buy and Sell Decisions in Chantilly VA: Do What Works For You - 05/22/11 03:16 PM
New home construction is reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and recent numbers show that single-family housing starts dropped by 21,000 units in April.
That is a 5 percent drop for single-family homes, as compared to March 2011, and 30 percent when compared to April 2010.
When permits to build are down, new construction follows.  The reason:  about 93 percent of new home construction starts within 60 days of permit-issuance.
Fewer permits, as a consequence, means fewer new homes. Therefore, if you're looking at new construction in or around Fairfax, April's numbers may spark a sense of awareness, if not urgency.  Right … (0 comments)

Best Schools For Your Housing Buck: Recent Study - 05/15/11 08:39 PM
We have a GreatSchools section on our website.  It is a nice resource if you are moving into the Northern Virginia area and want to get a quick read on schools in this area.
Recently Forbes and GreatSchools did a study suggesting that home prices and the quality of public schools don't necessarily correlate.  That is another way of saying that the more affluent districts don't necessarily have better schools.
America's Best Schools For Your Housing Buck, is the title of the study.
What district tops the list?  That would be Falmouth, Maine.
Falmouth has a population of less than 11,000 … (3 comments)

Before Selling Your Northern Virginia Home: A Quick "Must Do" Checklist - 05/15/11 08:00 PM
Home owners in the Northern Virginia and Chantilly area who are considering putting their home on the market have the obvious concern about how much or how little they should do to prepare the home for sale.
There are competing concerns about having a home that looks good, while not spending more than you need to spend.
Here is some advice from the Wall Street Journal that outlines 10 basic strategies that are low cost.
It is a productive discipline to make sure you have these covered.
Repair or remove screen doors with holes and tears Pressure wash windows, sidewalks, and … (2 comments)

Super Clean Condo at 9703 Kings Crown Court in Fairfax VA Area - MLS FX7592470 - 05/08/11 03:05 PM
If condos for sale in the Fairfax area are front and center for you, our new listing at 9703 Kings Crown Court (#202) in the Fairfax, VA area is definitely worth a look.
"Super clean" is a good starting description. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in the very nice Hawthorne Village really sparkles.  There is a long list of features that you will find on our website (new carpet, updated kitchen with stainless appliances, Corian counter-tops, new vanities,...the list goes on)!
A good place to start is with a quick Visual Tour.  This will get you "inside" the condo instantly, … (0 comments)

Remodeling Your Chantilly Home: Finding the right contractor - 05/05/11 03:25 PM
Home remodeling in Chantilly and elsewhere is doing pretty well.  It is anticipated that projects will top $130 blllion this quarter.
That is as high as it has been since the first quarter of 2008.  Interestingly enough, the typical cost of home remodeling projects is dropping.
Chantilly and Centreville homeowners are like those in other places:  they are putting money in home improvements.
But just like the importance of selecting the right real estate agent, making a good contractor choice will make all the difference.
Here is a short video from NBC's The Today Show, which will give you tips for … (0 comments)

Washing windows: Save a little and be eco-friendly - 05/02/11 03:35 PM
Want to keep your windows clean and do it the eco-friendly way?
Here are a few easy steps.
First, try to save this task for a cloudy day.  Hot windows will dry out more quickly and cause streaking.
Second, mix about 8 parts water to 1 part white vinegar and 1 part eco-friendly dish detergent.  The dish detergent will help remove build-up from previous commercial cleaners.  Mix this in a spray container.  After you have done this one time you don't need to add in the detergent.  Just mix 1/2 teaspoon of the vinegar to 1 cup of water.
If you … (0 comments)

Video on more garage space: a few simple ideas - 05/01/11 09:35 PM
 
If your Chantilly or Northern Virginia area home could use a bit more space, and if you have a garage, check out this 4-minute video from Lowe's YouTube series.
If will give you some great ideas on how to make space by adding elements to your garage interior that may not be there, or may not be used to your best advantage.
Another big advantage of managing garage space more efficiently is that it may add more home space. You can store a lot more "stuff" in a garage that is well organized. And, if you will eventually have your … (0 comments)