Jennifer's Blog

Housing Market Stats April 2012

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Sun, 13 May 2012 13:27:45 -0700

Stafford, Virginia

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Spotsylvania, Virginia

King George, Virginia

Caroline County, Virginia

All reports provided by www.rbintel.com and www.MRIS.com . May 13, 2012

Holiday Homes

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:32:06 -0800

Here are some home my kids have helped with this holiday season thus far. I thought of some great headlines for selling these properties:

A Fortress for your Princess

A Cottage that says “Welcome”

A truly “Green” Home for 2012

Fit for a King

Fun for the Whole Family!

And from left to right:

How Many people have a Triangle-Shaped Home? This could be Yours!

Free Sun Room Included

Looks Great in the Snow!

And then a collage of our nativity scenes from all around our house. Our newest edition is the Peanuts version.

Merry Christmas!

Matthew and Jennifer

Voting in the Fredericksburg Region

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:58:17 -0700

Just a quick link list for elections next week…

Many of these I had to print in Adobe and then save on DocStoc. Spotsylvania and Stafford have nice sheets, but the other counties have not posted anything that I could find. And I wanted to get this out in case you needed to do any additional research during the weekend.

Caroline County:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/101409310/Caroline-County-Ballot-2011

Spotsylvania County:

http://www.spotsylvania.va.us/filestorage/2614/147/2744/227/candidates_for_public_view_091411.pdf

Fredericksburg City:

https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/PublicSite/Public/FT2/PublicElectionDetails.aspx?Ret=1

King George:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/101410072/King-George-Ballot-2011

Stafford:

http://stafford.va.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1216

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/101409651/Stafford-Ballot-2011

Customer Service

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:18:16 -0700

Last week Matthew and I needed to cancel an account. This process took 5 days with 5 phone calls and over 3.5 hours.

Often, when you begin a relationship with a business, all the customer service is put into the front end. But what do your clients see once you get into the system? And when clients/customers are finished, how hard is it to end the service?

And as I’ve been travelling up and down Route1, I’ve also noticed worn out signs, trash in parking lots, broken light bulbs, and such.I know, I KNOW it’s a tough economy, but if we do not keep up with quality presentation, we will loose even more clients!

I know I’ve been guilty of dressing up for the first few appointments with a new client and then wearing dressed up jeans as we go along. Most don’t mind, but I still want to show them that I care just as much now as I did when they hired me!

I can tell you that with how hard it was to cancel my service, I don’t expect I will ever return.

Q&A - Selling My Short Sale Home

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Tue, 24 May 2011 11:01:08 -0700

Question: If I’m short selling my home, does it matter what it looks like? Besides, I won’t get any cash when it sells. Why does it matter?

Answer: YES, it matters! Short sales are harder to get to closing so your home needs to look good enough to entice buyers. If the option of the buyer is a foreclosure that has already been painted and vacated or a short sale that looks like it has not been maintained, the seller will go for the foreclosure.

But if your home looks like you care for it, then the chances of receiving an offer before your home goes to foreclosure is much higher.

I know it takes money to maintain your home. And if you had the extra cash, then you would be making your payments, but there are a few things you can do even without the cash flow.

1. De-clutter. You’ll me moving anyway. Get rid of the stuff you won’t be taking with you. Clean out the kitchen cabinets and closets. Clear off the book shelves. Get rid of knick-knacks. Making the home more spacious than the competition will go a long way.

2. Magic Erasers – these little white sponges will clean appliances, walls, trim, door jams, bathtubs, floors, and more! With just a little elbow grease (usually less than you would expect), they do wonders! There were times I thought I would need to paint, but after using the Magic Eraser, I did not need to.

3. Set the table – make it look warm and cozy.

4. Sandpaper – one issue I have seen frequently is where dogs have damaged doorways and railings. Sand them out! Find the left over paint in the garage and paint over it when finished.

5. Air Vents – If it looks like you do not keep your air vents clean, buyers may wonder about the rest of the maintenance of your home.

6. Other low cost fixes – Fake flowers in a vase or two. Rent a carpet cleaner for a day. Bleach/water solution for the tile in the bathroom. With just one can of paint, you could paint the front door or the trim in the entryway/living room. Replace light bulbs.

7. Other free fixes – Keep the beds made. Keep the sinks clean. Keep the clothes hidden. Dust the ceiling fans. Boiling water on the weeds. Windex the windows.

8. Finally, try rearranging the furniture. It gives you another chance to de-clutter, vacuum or sweep, and see if you can make the room look more welcoming or spacious. Try this on the deck or porch as well!

With all the other work it takes to get a short sale to closing, including all the forms you will need to find and fill out, these changes in the home will feel like nothing. And it will be a big help in getting that offer… before it’s too late.

In the Zone

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:06:24 -0800

I’ve been researching zoning ordinances for the different counties. I have a farmette that is hopefully going to closing soon, a client that wants chickens, a friend that wants to add on a garage, and a relative that is planning to move and bring their 5th wheel. All of these issues have zoning rules and regulations that need to be taken into consideration.

You may not think you want to do anything unique with your property now, but knowing the zoning rules for your home could help you in the future. On that note, here are several of the link I have been to in researching all about zoning:

Zoning 101 from ZoningMaters.org

Caroline County Zoning Ordinances and a cheat sheet for setbacks for different communities.

Spotsylvania Counties Ordinances (A little More complicated to read in some situations). Most of my clients visit Chapter 23, Article 6 and Chapter 4 first. My advice, if you have a question or you’re unsure about your zone and a rule, call! It’s better to know for sure than run into an issue later.

And here’s Stafford County, King George, and Downtown Fredericksburg, along with the Historical District Rules.

Working Together

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:46:59 -0800

Most of our clients are pretty savvy. (If you’re wondering if you’re “savvy,” you’re reading our blog, so we think you’re pretty savvy!)

Anyway, most of you use many resources when searching for homes. Some start their search at Zillow or Realtor.com. Some find the home search on our blog first. No matter how your home search begins, the following is a list of what we would recommend you consider when looking for a home.

1. Neighborhood – what makes a “good neighborhood” to you? How far is the local grocery and gas station? DO you like other shopping and restaurants or seclusion? How close to the interstate do you want to be?

2. Amenities – An HOA may have swimming, basketball, a gym, or even a restaurant on the premises. Do you like walking trails? Do you mind paying additional fees for those amenities or would the neighborhood activities work just as well?

3. Topography – Do you need a water source? Do you like trees? Do you need flat land for animals?

4. Floor Plan – Do you need a main level bedroom? Would a basement help with storage or space for kids? Do stairs hurt your knees? Is a garage a “must?”

5. External obsolescence – That’s a fancy word for the things you cannot control that may make the value of your property go up or down. Dogs in the neighborhood, dirt roads, trains, waterways, nearby neighborhoods,… They may work, but you or others may not want them.

6. Location Compared to regular your job/church/community activity – Some people are glad to live far away from work. Others wish they lived next door. Some participate in community services on a regular basis and would like to live nearby. Others don’t mind driving into town once a week for that event. What about you? What about the school you want your kids to attend? Even if the bus does not pick up your kids, how far do you want to drive to take them to school?

7. Utilities – Some homes have have water bills and sewer bills every month. Some don’t. But if you’re in town high speed internet might cost a lot less than having satellite internet (which is not as reliable). Electric, natural gas, and propane are all used throughout the area – as is wood burning stoves if you want to save. Consider the cost of all your utilities.

8. Main roadways – In the Fredericksburg Region, we’re talking about I95! How far would you need to travel on 95? Can you get to places without having to drive on 95? Are others going to use that same route? You may want to try diving that route during the normal hours you would be traveling.

9. Usability – Each piece of property is zoned with rules and regs that apply for that zone. If you want chickens, check your zoning. Also, your neighborhood may also have rules for how close you can build to the border of your property. That’s zoning as well.

10. Cost of Ownership – How much are the current taxes? Annual maintenance fees to paint/gravel/power wash? How old is that heat pump or roof and how long might it last?

Now how do we help you find out about all these issues and more that you need to consider? Some of the place we check include:

Tax Maps
Plats
Tax Records
Property History
Photos – current and past listings
Google Maps
Property Disclosures
HOA Documents
Utility Companies
County Web pages
Visitor’s Center
Graph paper
Chatting with neighbors
MLS system

Now you could do all this on your own, or we could help you. Each of you know what you want to research and want you need us to do for you. We also try to share some of these issues that you may not have taken into consideration. Working together to find you the perfect place is what it’s all about!

And if we don’t serve your area, we will try to hook you up with an agent we trust from another area of the state/country that thinks like we do.

Here’s What Happened with Housing in October

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:10:58 -0800

First in Caroline…

Closed sales were up in October – for a total of 30! Although Pending sales went down. So in actuality, more home that were pending actually went to closing compared to other recent months.

This means banks were accepting offers and less glitches in getting to closing! That’s fabulous news! With the tightening of lender pre-qual applications and the necessity of sellers (homeowners and banks) to sell, there are a few less vacant homes!

Average sales price was $150,000 with an average of 93 days on the market. And I can tell you, some homes priced under $150K that are move in ready are under contract within days!

Now for Spotsylvania County…

Closed sales in Spotsy actually slipped a bit in October. But 126 sold homes in Spotsylvania is not too shabby! Pending sales also went down. A wider gap between the two, but that’s to be expected when dealing with more homes.

Average sales price was about $220,000 with an average of 65 days on the market.

If you have additional questions about specific communities or need an idea on the average sales price for a specific type of home, feel free to ask!

List Price vs. Sold Price

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:16:23 -0700

Ok now that we had some fun, time to get back to work.

Today Matthew and I attended out local trade show with classes and vendors that will help us help you. More to come on that at a later date!

Today I thought we would look some of the greatest deals out of the 22 homes that sold in Caroline County based on Sales price and Sold price during the month of August. This chart does NOT show you how much the buyer asked for in closing costs. That would have changed all my percentages.

... My photos and graph are not converting correctly tonight. So sorry!

to see more, check out: http://www.vahomeplace.com/list-price-vs-sold-price

Buyers and Their Representation

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:35:37 -0700

I’ve actually wanted to write an article lately about why we ask for buyer agency agreements.

Just like any business, you want someone that is looking out for your best interest. The buyer’s agency agreement helps us to do just that.

This page in the "Today’s Buyer Rep" newsletter from February 2010 gives a great little chart showing the differences in being a customer and being a client.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/48673161/Customer-or-Client---Whats-the-Difference

And here is a sample of standard buyer agency agreement forms that you may be requested to sign so that your agent may work in your best interest.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/48674661/Buyer-Agency-Agreement-Form

A few point I would like to mention in relation to Matthew and I.

Paragraph 3: We do not charge retainer fees. We feel that getting the job done is when we earn our fee.

Paragraph 9 : We do not practice “Dual Agency”. This perfectly legal form of agency relationship is one by which a Realtor can represent both a buyer and seller. We feel that this is an unfair level of service and deprives clients from full protection. We represent only one side of the transaction at any given time.

Paragraph 11: Equal Opportunity. You tell us your requirements for a home based on price, location, needs. We never choose or exclude homes based on any of the federally protected classes.

If you have specific questions about any of the paragraphs, please feel free to ask.

From Generation to Generation

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:34:56 -0700

There are certain landmarks in the career of a REALTOR® that gives one pause and reminds us how important our clients are. Home Buyers and Sellers all have stories, we become involved in their lives and help them in a time of important decisions. Matthew and I take that responsibility very seriously and always true to put our selves in the position of our clients when we’re giving advice. Sometimes we have to give advice or counsel that folks don’t wish to hear. At times we have to deliver bad new and other good. But at all times, we become characters in their stories.

This week, Matthew and I had the privilege of assisting the third generation of one family, purchase their first home. Our real estate adventure with this family began about six years ago. Matthew helped Roy and Jan list and sell their home of 42 years in Annandale, Virginia. In that home, the Senior Beveridges watched their children grow up and move out and then come back with grandchildren for visits. When it was time for a new stage in their lives, we were blessed to help them move into their new home, to make new memories, here in Caroline.

Shortly thereafter their son, Cash with his lovely wife, Kathy moved to Belmont with their three children. He decided to sell his home in an established neighborhood and purchase a new home that was built with their own specifications in Belmont.

This week, Cash and Kathy’s oldest, Joshua, and his fiancé, Allegra, (excited to be wed next month!) purchased their first home! Through great planning, they have purchased the home with enough time before the wedding to get it just they way they want it.

We’re thankful to every client who’s ever trusted us for advice or to assist them when it’s time to enter into a new stage of life. We’re especially thankful for those who trust us with their families and refer us to their friends.

The Title About Title Companies

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:00:22 -0700

When we work with buyers, we recommend to them that they ask for a general warranty deed to protect their home purchase.

Occasionally sellers (especially banks and the REO properties that they own) are not willing to provide a general warranty deed. They are only willing to provide a special warranty deed. And they also want you to use the seller’s title company.

Yes, legally you have the option to use any title company you like. But is it really that big of a deal? The above situation is one of the reasons you want to hire a title company that will work for you. Let me explain with the help of my friend Michele Freemyers.

____________

In a general warranty deed, the Seller gives the Buyer six different types of warranty on the title of their house. Basically the Seller warrants that their title is clean and also warrants that every owner back in the chain of title had clear and clean title and the Seller will “warrant and defend” any title claims that the Buyer may sue them for.

In a special warranty deed the Seller gives the Buyer only three types of warranty’s on the house – basically that the current Seller is the owner and will only warrant their particular TIME of ownership They won’t give any promises about anyone else’s term of ownership back in the chain of title.

In case of a defect of title, the Buyer can actually SUE the Seller and make them enforce the warranties that were within the deed. Since more is always better, you always want a general warranty deed for your Buyers. The banks (and builders) will only give Special Warranty Deeds, because they do not want the added liability of the other three warranties.

Therefore it is important where you close because when purchasing from a Bank/REO Seller, that company is usually ONLY doing a “current owner” search (of course they don’t advertise that!)– which means a title search on the bank and the person that was foreclosed upon. So… if you follow the logic, they are giving you a special warranty deed AND only doing a current owner search.

Your Buyer in that case has two major problems:

There is no warranty within the deed that will cover the Buyer in case there is a problem back in the chain of title – so your Buyer can’t go back and sue the Seller for title defects that appear prior to the Bank’s ownership because they only provided a special warranty deed AND
You don’t know the state of the REAL title because there was only a one owner search done.

You are not coming to EKKO Title for me to make them give the Buyer a General Warranty Deed – they will not do that and no amount of effort on my part will make them change their position on that. The Buyer will still get a Special Warranty Deed, but the standard practice in my office is that we run a full 60 year search. That way, when the Buyer only gets the special warranty deed, we KNOW what the title shows for the full 60 years and will give the Buyer title insurance on the full 60 year search. If there are title defects, I will tell you (the Seller’s attorney has fiduciary duties to the Seller – NOT to your Buyer – so they are under NO OBLIGATION to disclose this information to you) and the Buyer will be advised of the real status of the title to their most expensive asset.

Ok so you still run the 60 year search if only representing the buyer?

We pull the title work and run the 60 year search, and the Buyer pays for that service. If we find any problems, we MAKE the Seller clear the title problems. From the processing perspective, we literally force the Seller to clear any title problems.

Thanks, Michele, for looking out for your clients and explaining another important part of purchasing a home!

Lake Land'or Gazette

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:27:20 -0700

We posted our Copy of the Summer 2010 newsletter for Lake Land’or in Caroline County.

If you threw away your copy and needed to review an article or are interested in what is happening in the community, check it out!

http://www.docstoc.com/profile/carolineagent

From Credit scores to Staging Your Home

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Sat, 01 May 2010 00:37:00 -0700

I'm actually overwhelmed with the number of helpful articles that I have received this week. I'm just going to list a few of my favorites here:

Around the Home - Make Your Home Healthier

By Terri Bennett

4 Energy-Efficient Renovations Homeowners Should Consider

New Home, New Expenses: First-Time Home Buyers Change Their Lifestyle to Afford Home Ownership

Remodeling a Home Built Before 1978 Requires a Certified Lead Contractor

by Phoebe Chongchua **This is an important new law we have to follow!

Home Staging Tips That Focus on Largest Customer Segments

Understanding Credit Scores and Reports

by Carla L. Davis

Let's Talk Townhomes

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:59:25 -0700

With only a month and a half left before the tax credit deadline to get your contracts ratified, many young adults are coming out and considering that home purchase – which is exactly what the government had in mind!

Young adults may not be ready for the 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath with that half acre of land and the picket fence. But they may be ready to start building some equity. A townhouse can be a great option. If you maintain a townhome for 5 years and make at least one extra payment each year, you will be all set for for that larger home when you’re ready!

So what townhomes are available? Have a look here:

From $80,000 to $230,000, there are may townhomes to choose from. And if you look here and decide that townhome living is not for you, then you’re in luck! There are many detached homes available with the same square feet and the same price.

Ready to see if you qualify? Here are some lender options: http://www.vahomeplace.com/buyer-information/lender-information/

And here are the market conditions for the Month of February for Caroline and Spotsylvania. This includes: Number of homes per price category, number of homes sold per financing and days on market, homes under contract, and more.

If you have questions about purchasing a townhome, detached home, lending, or community questions, feel free to ask.

What's Happened to Sundays?

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:41:52 -0800

I must admit, I'm very sad that Ukrops has been sold!

I always felt special when I walked into Ukrops: Carrying out my groceries, babysitting, if needed, snack during my trip. And I also like the fact that all employees had Sundays off!

But I do not feel like I am in a mall like I do when I visit Wegmans!

Honestly, I don't know why the chain had to sell. Why did higher standards not work out for Ukrops when it works so well for Chick-Fil-A.

I know that the new owner will make changes - including the sell of alcohol and being open on Sundays.

I would rotate between 3 different stores: Ashland, Glen Allen, and Fredericksburg. And make sacrifices to support the store. I have not decided what I'll do now. I think I'll be spending more dollars in the county for local support.

I've been keeping up with the Changes at Richmond Biz Sense.

Water Issues Plague Home Owners in Lake Land’or and Campbell Creek

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:50:34 -0800

Affecting Home Sales

As I drove down Rt. 1 today, I saw this sign on the side of the road in front of Campbell Creek Subdivision. The person who painted this sandwich board is evidentially upset about the new water rates. This issue affects an estimated 1800 households. The Caroline Progress report on this issue was added to the county website in September of last year.

I admit that a $150 a month ($1,800 a year) water bill is completely ridiculous. I’m not sure what the point of the sign is, however. The message seems to be a notice to passersby that if you were to live in this subdivision you’ll have to pay an absorbent water bill. This is one more reason why it’s wise for buyers and their agents to ask for a list of utility bills for the past year, when considering a home.

Whereas I understand the frustration of the homeowner, placing the sign on the side of Rt. 1 it will do more to harm neighbors who are trying to sell their home, than to get a reasonable rate. Thus affecting the sign posters property value, as well.

The Increase

In June 2009 Aqua Virginia, who provides water to Lake Land’or and Campbell Creek, filed for a rate change with the State Corporate Commission. The request for 3.2 million dollars – yes MILLION. At the time I didn’t really pay attention. After I read the notice, as a resident of Lake Land’or I became more concerned. Thankfully, we have a septic system. Our first bill arrived and for a 2500+ square foot home with a family of five our water bill is about 30 dollars a month. The rate increase took us to about $40 a month. I understand that times are hard and I’m not really that upset about a $10 increase if it were to increase the water quality and ensure it’s access.

Real Pain

Even though my bill is only $10 more, Portsia Smith posted on her blog that at least one resident has received a bill for $1,200 for one month ($14,400 a year). There was a community hearing including a Senator and representative of the SCC. Of course the answer was… “File your complaint”. This can be done at the SCC Webpage. However, I’ve never been a fan at the pace by which bureaucrats proceed. The Lake Land’or webpage offers very little information, but a poster board at the security gates states that there is a meeting on February 2, 2010 to discuss the issue further.

Typically I take issue with the government interceding with a private business, but this is clearly an unrealistic situation. If ever there was a time for the government to intercede and protect it’s citizenry from abuse, it would be now. In a time of such financial hardship for much of America, one must question the value system of a company to create such incredible rate increases. How does anyone expect a homeowner to pay a $1200 a month water bill? With the huge number of Short Sale and Foreclosure properties on the current market, this drastic water bill will do nothing but increase the inventory of distressed properties.

File a Complaint

Complete these steps to file a formal complaint (hat/tip to Portsia):
Visit www.SCC.Virginia.gov
Click: “Submit Public Comments On a Case”
Scroll to PUE-2009-00059
Click on “Submit Comments”

It's Electric!

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:54:25 -0800

I had a family that contacted me about possibly purchasing a home here in Virginia. We’ve been talking about different communities, traffic, and homeschooling rules!

One issue is that they live in Florida, and they have a concern about the electric bill. Will it change? How much?

Obviously, more energy efficient systems are less.

Also, keeping the house at 68 in winter and 76 in summer helps a lot! You can also get energy audits for homes.

You can also call the electric company and ask for an average electric bill price for a home. But that still does not tell you their habits. If they are never home, the bill could be deceptive and be very low. My bill is usually high because I’m home all the time, I don’t like being cold, I don’t have a wood stove, and my husband does not like being hot. LOL!
http://www.myrec.coop/residential/save-energy/index.cfm

Buying a Car vs. Buying a Home

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:56:25 -0800

Warning: this video is 5 minutes long. It may take a while to load. One issue I've learned creating this was to be short and to the point. Next time, I'll do better!

34 Homes Sold in Caroline in October. What else??

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:34:40 -0800

October stats are out!

Here’s a link to the Caroline Sales and Listings.

And here’s Spotsylvania Sales and listing statistics.

If you have any questions about these reports or need price stats for another county, feel free to ask.

This month, I thought I would focus on currently listed homes with acreage under $150,000.

There are 13 homes that meet this criteria. Acreage ranges from 1 to 3.338. Days on market range from 1 day to 319 days.

Click the following URL to see the listings:
http://mrislistings.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?k=1389753XOE7M&p=DE-94405184-847

At first glance, I think this one is my favorite: 17350 NEW BALTIMORE, MILFORD, VA 22514

Hung Out To Dry in Lake Land'or

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:32:11 -0700

(my husband graciously wrote this for me)

I will readily admit that I like having tidy neighbors. I fully agree that junk and yard clutter decrease the value of property resale.

I am also happy to hear that Virginia is considering a law to overrule the local POA's policy against hanging one's clothes to dry outside.

There are over 300,000 Property Owner's Associations in the US and many of them have adopted a policy to disallow clotheslines.

I initially thought this to be a good thing, but as my understanding of environmental impact and cost savings has grown, I've changed my ideology. I think that homeowner rights and efforts to decrease utility costs out weigh the Property Owner's Association rationale for policing how a homeowner dries their clothes.

According to the New York Times article "Debate Follows Bills to Remove Clotheslines Bans" many states have already taken away the POA's right to ban outside drying and Virginia is among others that are moving that direction. The article points out that clothes dryers account for about 6% of the normal household's total electric bill.

I think there is a compromise. I don't wish to see my neighbor's underwear dangling in the wind for days at a time, so perhaps clothes drying could be contained to daylight hours, etc...

The world is changing, many homeowners find solace in their ability to take actions that will help the environment and will continue to fight for those rights. Admittedly I find that there is an generational barrier to this issue. Those of the Baby Boomer and Silent generation are not thrilled with the ideology of the predominantly Generation X and Y, that would rather sacrifice a small bit of ascetics for a better earth. I happen to think the POA policies against solar energy collectors will be the next article up for grabs.

Mindset and beliefs will be challenged as Generation X and Y become more active in "making the sausage". POA committees that have predominantly been made up of older generations may start finding some new challengers.

Fall Fun Close to Home

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:08:25 -0700

This weekend I participated in my first Oktoberfest. It was a neighborhood get-together with friends coming together to enjoy the nip in the air, try a few beers, and stuff themselves with some great German food!

For someone who does not drink beer or eat sauerkraut, I still had a great time! Just getting to know your neighbors a little bit better and to create a deeper relationship makes you feel like family. And since our families are often in another town or state, it’s important to have friends that you feel like you can call upon during an emergency or just to chat with!

This is the first neighborhood I have ever lived in where we have participated in neighborhood get-together on a regular basis. And I love it! If your neighborhood or street has never had a block party, consider hosting one!

Plan the date 2 months in advice and send out flyers right away
Ask everyone to bring a drink and dish to share
Provide the paper products, tables, and electrical outlets
Have business cards with your Facebook/Twitter info on the back so you can continue to stay in touch between gatherings
Be ready to laugh!

Caroline County Update for September

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:19:42 -0700

From the County Administrator and the Caroline County Website… (I’ve added most of the hyperlinks to make it easier for you to visit).

Contact Information:
Percy Ashcraft, County Administrator pashcraft@co.caroline.va.us (804) 633-5380

Message from the County Administrator
September, 2009

This message is the ninth in 2009 to better update our citizens and visitors to the website. The information serves as a status report for ongoing projects, and also serves as a preview to different happenings that are in the planning stages.

County government offices will be closed Monday, September 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 8.

The Board of Supervisors will hold its regular meetings this month on Tuesday, September 8 and Tuesday, September 22 at 6 p.m. at the Community Services Center.

The Board of Supervisors and Public School Board will have a joint meeting at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 17 at the Community Services Center.

The Board of Supervisors will also host the Regional Elected Officials Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 29 at the Visitor Center.

Tuesday, September 1 will be Bring Your Child to Work Day for County government employees. This is an opportunity for children and grandchildren of County employees to observe and better understand the responsibilities of their parents and grandparents in the workplace.

The State Fair of Virginia will hold its first State Fair in Caroline County September 24 – October 4 at its new site at Meadow Farm. The Board of Supervisors will participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday, September 24. State Fair President Curry Roberts will give a report at the September 8 meeting of the Board of Supervisors on the upcoming Fair events.

County Staff will continue this month meeting with individual members of the Board of Supervisors in establishing short and long-range strategic goals for the County.

Caroline County will continue its effort this month to promote the All-America Cities Award that was captured in June.

All county residents are encouraged to register for the Caroline Alert System. The system will notify residents of emergencies and other government news through their cell phones and desktop computers. This is a free service offered by the Board of Supervisors. Click on www.CarolineAlert.com to register.

Here is a capsule glance of other activities that will be happening in County government during the month of August:

The Parks and Recreation Department will begin soccer and youth football games this month. Contact the office at (804) 633-7277 for information on these programs and other offerings.
The Board of Supervisors will continue this month to discuss the update to the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
At the request of Chairman Acors, County Staff has put together a 2010 Census Team which will be charged with assisting with the identification of every County resident for the 2010 Census. The first meeting will be in October.
County staff and consultants continue to work on a proposal that will allow the County to withdraw water from the Rappahannock River in the future. The Department of Environmental Quality must grant its approval before water can be withdrawn.
The Dawn Wastewater Project is nearing completion of its first phase, with almost 200 homes to be served. Residents interested in signing up for Phase II are asked to contact the Utility Department at (804) 633-4386.
The Utility Department will continue this month to oversee the drilling of new wells to increase potential for new water quantity in the County.
The Utility Department will continue to provide the residents of Lake Caroline with water because of a failed system operated by the Lake Caroline Water System. A hearing is planned before the State Corporation Commission in October to sort out the future plans to provide water to the residents.
The Board of Supervisors adopted at its August 25 meeting an incentive package for Fire and Rescue Volunteers as recommended by the Emergency Services Commission.
The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing at its September 22 meeting on an ordinance that would create a Housing Stimulus Package that will look to provide a boost to local builders.
The Board of Supervisors will have under consideration at its September 22 meeting a lease agreement with the Public School Division regarding the use of the old Ladysmith Elementary School.
A request to rezone property by the Flippo family for the purpose of a residential subdivision along Route 207 next to Belmont has been delayed indefinitely at the request of the property owner.
The Board of Supervisors has delayed action indefinitely at the request of the owner a proposal to locate a mulch plant (Norfleet) along Route 2.
The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing at its September 8 meeting on a text amendment establishing Guest Quarters at the location of Ladysmith Floor and Lumber.
The Board of Supervisors approved at its August 25 meeting an ordinance to establish a Wireless Service Authority.
An agreement is close involving the negotiations between the County and Metrocast regarding a TV Cable Franchise agreement. A public hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 22 as part of the Board of Supervisors meeting.
County Staff will continue to work with regional officials to expand the use of the Lloyd Boxley Cannery located along Route 301 south. The County is accepting applications for three part-time positions.
Economic Development Director Gary Wilson will introduce a new signage program at the September 8 meeting of the Board of Supervisors to compliment a recently-adopted Technology Zone ordinance.
The Board of Supervisors will entertain First Reading of an ordinance amendment at its September 8 meeting to codify the duties and responsibilities of the Fire-EMS Chief.
The Board of Supervisors at its September 8 meeting will receive an annual report from MediCorp Health Services.
The Board of Supervisors will discuss at its September 22 meeting future water plans for Caroline Pines subdivision.

Caroline public and private schools open September 8. Please be mindful of children walking in school zones and around school busses.
Have a great month!

Recipe for Outside Your Home

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:09:50 -0700

Good morning Ladies and Gents! We're back from our vacation from Nags Head, NC. It was very nice! I had not been there in almost 10 years! And I'm thankful that the trip did not seem as long this time - especially since I thought we were going to Sandbridge outside of Virginia Beach.

Anyway, being a real estate agent and visiting such a unique area with such a variety of beach houses made me feel excited! I rode down the beach playing the "no, yes" game from my youth - for "which home would you buy if you could?" And then we visited the Life is Good shop and not I want to redecorate my house with the words of Life is Good - relax, live, have fun, love! Maybe someone here will open a franchise for me! I'm sure it would do well in Ladysmith Village!

One final thought about my vacation (for now) was the difference in landscaping. Some had only the beach grass. But some yards looked like golf courses which seemed a bit out of place to me. But maybe it was because we played Frisbee on the beach instead of on the lawn. But the yards reminded me of an email I received....

I receive the cute newsletter every week from Econobusters.com . I love the layout and the great tips, and this week I asked if I could share their recipe for natural lawn fertilizer! They said yes! So here you go!

Home Made Lawn Fertilizer

Ingredients:
One can of soda (any kind except diet soda will work)
One can of beer (any kind except light beer)
1/2 cup of household ammonia
1/2 cup of liquid dishwashing soap
(do not use antibacterial soap because it will kill important microbes)
1/2 cup of mouthwash

Directions:
Mix together all ingredients and pour into a 10-gallon hose-end sprayer, and apply it to the lawn while you water.
The soda and beer act as food for the lawn. The ammonia promotes growth and helps make the grass green. The liquid dishwashing soap is a wetting agent and helps the water reach the roots, and the mouthwash actually kills bugs and grubs in the lawn.

Be very careful to use the exact amount listed for each ingredient. The ammonia could kill the grass if too much is used. This fertilizer should only be used once every three to four weeks in high heat, and even less frequently when the temperatures are not hot. It is also important to only use dishwashing soap, dishwashing detergent could be harmful. If you have pets at home, they should also be kept off the lawn for 24 to 36 hours after treatment.

There you have it. I thought a recipe for the actual yard would be a neat twist this time around!

And don't forget about my recipe E-Book,Molly Makes $5 Dinners and $3 Desserts!

Thanks Econobusters.com

Tips and Tricks

Jennifer Rathbun, ABR, SFR, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Elite ) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:53:13 -0700

Over the years, I pick up odds and end of tips and tricks. Here are a few that I was reminded about this week:

Trees and fences usually add value to your home. They also use up the nutrients from the ground and it's a bit harder to grow grass under them (unless you don't want grass under your trees!).

Victory gardens and square foot gardening fits into almost every lot and can save you hundreds in fruits and vegetables! And now with freezing you don't even have to worry about canning!

If you're tub has become discolored from your well water, try Iron Out. But when it's time to drain, use a hose to siphon the water out to a distance in your yard instead of letting it drain out through your pipes. It will kill the bacteria in your septic tank - as will other harsh cleaning chemicals.

A leaky toilet can waste 200-400 gallons of water per day costing you BIG BUCKS! Spend the $20 and replace that valve!

If you run out of storage in your home, try going up! Taller bookshelves, hooks on walls, plywood in the attic... Or just get rid of that 20 year old dress that you have not worn in 10 years!

If you need some area service provides, jest ask, I may already have a name!

Those were the random thoughts that came to mind today. Enjoy this beautiful weather!