Showcasing Fine Homes in Loudoun County, VA & Fairfax County, VA

Loudoun County Information

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:19:41 -0800

The Loudoun County website has recently been updated in certain areas, including portions of the Cities and Towns section. The fast-growing Ashburn, Sterling, Dulles Corridor, Leesburg and Purcellville are the housing and business centers, whereas Middleburg, Waterford, Lovettesville and Paeonian Springs offer Loudoun views and historic character.

In addition to dozens of quaint historic areas and small towns, Loudoun is home to more than 10 excellent vineyards and wineries. Actually, there are dozens of small, independent vineyards run by homeowners putting their 3, 5, 7 or more acres to work, for both love of outdoors and a nice county tax break on their property.

There are some charming homes for sales in Loudoun County...as well as executive and luxury homes for sale. You just have to know where to look! Glad to assist. Best, Nikola

Cascades in Potomac Falls, VA...Location, Charm, Features!

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 23:46:28 -0800

Visit our rich, virtual tour website..."sound on", too.

Hurry to see this desirable model in Cascades...the highly-sought after Loudoun County community. It may be hard to choose...whether you like the location best, or the great lot backing to mature trees and a walking trail, or the inside with true gourmet kitchen, oversized rooms and extra touches. Unlikely that this home will be available long...so call today to see this lovely home in person.

Call Nikola at 703-579-7612

Wonderful luxury home in Leesburg, VA...near the hills of Loudoun County!

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:45:02 -0800

Luxury Home & Lifestyle in Leesburg, Virginia, on 3 gorgeous acres...just on the edge of Virginia Wine Country! This wonderful property has all the touches, privacy and wishlist items you could want. Meander around the heavily-wooded rear portion of the lot on a natural trail, stop for a few moments and watch the nearby horses, and step up and over the massive boulders added by professional landscapers. Then, just wait until you see the inside!

Mortgage Bank VS. Mortgage Broker, in Loudoun County, and out!

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:38:29 -0700

It's no secret that home lending market has tightened up quite a bit...and it's difficult getting answers on loan applications and pending closes that you can rely on....or....well....take to the bank. I know of a number of high loan-to-value deals where the buyers are using mortgage brokers who are subject to the rules and policy changes of the banks...and yes, banks are changing their programs all the time.

If you are ready to buy a home, do yourself a favor and get pre-approved by more than one lender, with at least one of the lenders being a bank that does in-house underwriting.

In Loudoun County or Fairfax County, I'd be glad to assist you in finding just the right home. However, I'm glad to recommend several excellent bank lenders to you, no matter where you are buying. Just give me a call.

Best, Nikola

http://wwwPaintingLoudounRed.com

"Northern Virginia KW Referral Agent Checking In"

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Sat, 26 May 2007 00:08:59 -0700

Hi Group, glad to connect with you. This "referral network" has much more of a personal feel that the KW site, or White Pages. I can aleady see the personalities shining through.

Well, please keep me in mind as you have contacts or referrals for the great counties of Northern Virginia...that'd be Loudoun County, Fairfax Country and Prince William County. Also, add Arlington, and the Cities of Alexandria and Manassas, and Winchester.

Fast VA trivia...VA is one of just a handful of states that has "independent cities", that are not part of a county. Cities like Manassas, Winchester and Alexandria have their own gov't, police forces, etc. I believe PA and NY also have independent cities.

Best, Nikola

http://www.PaintingLoudounRed.com

(my old site, until I decide which new site design to go with....but will be "red", for sure)

Lovely Home for Sale in Purcellville, VA in Loudoun County, Virginia

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Tue, 22 May 2007 23:29:45 -0700

Lovely & Immaculate Home Featuring Wonderful Upgrades in Purcellville, VA (404 Mohawk Court)

●Attractive styling and inviting floor plan to welcome you home every day!

●Entertain in the large gourmet kitchen with island, maple cabinets & updated appliances

●4 upper level bedrooms & 2.5 bathrooms offer plenty of room

●Dramatic, oversized master bedroom has arched ceiling & luxury master bath

●Professionally decorated with paint, upgraded lighting, faucets & more!

●Large walk-out level basement has spacious finished rec room & large storage areas

●Just 3 blocks on sidewalks to the W&OD Trail, ideal for walkers & bike riders!

●Perfectly situated on a desirable cul-de-sac lot, backing to trees!

Truly a Must See Home at $549,500 in Old Dominion Valley, in Purcellville, VA

UPDATE: THIS PROPERTY IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Home for Sale in Purcellville VA, Loudoun County -- NEW Construction on 3 or 9 Acres!

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Tue, 22 May 2007 23:20:43 -0700

Lovely Custom Home With Engineered Modular Design and Wonderful Features Inside & Out!

See this fine home at 13297 Harpers Ferry Road...(see www.13297HarpersFerryRd.com)

●Attractive styling, perfect touches and inviting floor plan to welcome you home every day!

●Entertain in the spacious kitchen with Silestone island, stainless appliances & cherry cabinets

●First-floor Master offers privacy, and features soaking tub with separate shower, & walk-in closet

●3 upper level bedrooms & 2 full bathrooms offer plenty of room for family & guests

●Fantastic, oversized finished "Loft" above huge 3-car garage is perfect for office, library or extra family room!

●Large walk-up unfinished basement with extra tall ceilings and double-open basement doors

●Perfectly situated on 3 nicely-proportioned acres with trees, an adjoining 6 AC avail, and no HOA!

●Enjoy the country and still be in Purcellville in 10 minutes, or to Dulles Airport in 35 minutes

NOW just $600,000 for this advanced-design NEW Construction home in Purcellville, VA. on 3 Acres....or add 6+ more acres for a total price of $775,000!

Home for Sale in Leesburg, Loudoun County, VA

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Tue, 22 May 2007 22:52:10 -0700

Lovely & Immaculate Home With Wonderful Features Inside & Out! (120 Burnell Pl)

●Attractive styling, perfect colors and inviting floor plan to welcome you home every day!

●Entertain in the oversized eat-in gourmet kitchen loaded w/granite and designer tile!

●4 upper level bedrooms & 3.5 bathrooms offer plenty of room for family & guests

●Dramatic, vaulted master suite includes soaking tub, separate shower & large walk-in closet

●Large walk-out finished basement with luxury full bath, media center, high-tech wiring & more!

●Wonderful, oversized sunburst deck and new stone-edged patio are great for relaxing & BBQs!

●Perfectly situated on a quiet street, bordered by a common area and a 50-foot rear buffer zone!

●Commuter access is ideal, minutes to Greenway, RT 15 & RT 7, Dulles Airport is just 20 minutes

JUST REDUCED to $550,000 for this lovely home in Leesburg, VA.--- SOLD Summer 2007!!!

Poor Open House turnouts?

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Tue, 22 May 2007 08:30:01 -0700

Whew, another weekend here and gone...another two open houses...and another 2 total attendees!

Is it just me, or are you also pulling from zero to just a few at open houses these days? As I fight the rock hard ground in my area to install 5-6 signs for each open house, I'm thinking..."I'm having to put nearly 3 signs out per person who actually attends"...assuming it's not just a neighbor.

Separate question...can I assume you've tried...like I have...to promote Opens in the MLS, in newspaper, and even via postcards...and have not seen any measurable impact to attendance?

(I really do hope I'm the anomoly here...and want to hear your good ideas)

(I'm in Northern VA....we've been hit pretty hard by a buyer slowdown, and declining prices...I think a bit more than many other areas, partly due to our high price increases in the previous 2-3 years.)

Home Buyer Incentives in Leesburg, Purcellville and Hamilton!

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Tue, 22 May 2007 08:19:17 -0700

Let the incentives begin!....well, continue. New home builders just reported that the new housing starts were the lowest in 17 years....yikes! However, this is good news for the prospective new home buyer.

I'm aware of one builder now offering a free rec room in the basement PLUS a free, equipped Media Room...screen and all! Another is offering free upgrapes on multi-sided brick, upgraded landscaping packages and more. Of course, granite, hardwood floors and a few other things that used to be "options" tend to now be standard. The standard options are better than ever in communities in Leesburg & Ashburn such as Lansdowne, Belmont Country Club and River Creek. Further West, in Purcellville & Hamilton, values abound in Heather Knolls, Hamilton Ridge and even Wright Farm Estates.

So, whereas I wish new home sales were higher (first, because that would mean move-up buyers would be selling their resale home....and second, the affected industries and work forces in construction, mortgages, appraisal, etc would have more stability), I envious of those buyer who are considering new homes right now.

This is a perfect time to buy if you're relocating to Loudoun County, or sold your property already, or trying to drive down the cost of an entry-level new single family home, townhouse or condo.

Remember to have a seasoned agent negotiating on your behalf to make sure every party in your transaction is not cutting corners as we ask them to cut prices! I'd be glad to personally assist you in any way.

Best, Nikola

http://www.PaintingLoudounRed.com

Buyers Alert! Excellent Mortgage Programs!

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Sun, 20 May 2007 19:13:04 -0700

Quick alert for Buyers throughtout the US, and especially in Loundoun County, VA and Fairfax County, VA.

I work with a number of excellent lending professionals...mostly from firms that underwrite their own loans...and am pleasantly surprised how they have made their lending programs so attractive for first-time AND repeat home buyers. From reduced fees, to favorable rates and more transparency, I'm a believer the mortgage industry is an ally in helping individuals buy homes they can afford, on terms that meet each buyer's unique needs.

There are very good borrowing options available today. Please take the EXTRA time, and learn about more than one lender, their programs and who will service your loan after the closing.

I'm glad to share the names and numbers of several individuals who have earned their stripes, in my mind, as responsible lenders.

Best, Nikola

http://www.PaintingLoudounRed.com

Comments on the 60 Minutes segment

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Sun, 20 May 2007 19:02:34 -0700

I just watched a replay of the 60 Minutes segment. Generally, 60 Minutes seemed to do a dis-service to the potential home buyers and sellers. They simple skipped all the complexities of legal aspects, HUD, Fair Housing Law, mortgage qualification, home inspection...and all the topics that are valuable to many buyers, such as schools, traffic patterns, growth and development trends, etc. On the seller side, I feel they skipped similar legal and practical aspects. Another surprise was their apparent disregard for buyer or sellers in difficult markets....maybe a home will sell in 3-4 days in downtown San Francisco, but not in my markets of Lansdonw, Leesburg, or Purcellville...and who other than a seasoned agent can advise a buyer that they are paying just the right amount for a home, based on its unique attributes, based on recent comparable sales, and based on community or regional trends?

I'm hopeful I'm too close to it and that's why I'm feeling the need to defend the rights of buyers and sellers. But, I think certain buyer or sellers will be convinced that RE is easy, and get themselves in an awkward position, or legal trouble. The housing industry is still paying for what happened a few years ago when everyone thought they understood interest-only mortgages, ARMs, and negative amortization loans and pursued them, often against the caution of seasoned professionals.

I'm still as optimistic as ever, and glad to help home buyers and home sellers in Loudoun County.

Best, Nikola

http://www.PaintingLoudounRed.com

Good Values in Leesburg, Virginia (& Other Parts of Loudoun County)

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Wed, 16 May 2007 01:58:32 -0700

I was recently talking to an associate of mine about the good values that are appearing in some prestigious Leesburg communites, and selected other parts of Loudoun County.

(there were some knockout values recently in Lansdowne, River Creek and Potomac Station)

In some cases, such as where the seller is very motivated and has sufficient equity in their home, prices are nearing the 2003/2004 levels.

Of course, the best properties in the best locations will always sell relatively quickly (compared to the mass market) and closer to asking price.

If you're a Buyer, you do have to hunt, however, to find the values fast enough.

If you're a Seller, I've put together a "Ready to Sell" plan to get just about any house ready to compete for today's buyers. Just give me a call and I'd be glad to send you a copy.

Best, Nikola 703-579-7612

www.PaintingLoudounRed.com

Value of a Brokers Open is open for debate!

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Tue, 08 May 2007 18:33:48 -0700

I coordinated a Brokers Open today, in western Loudoun County, with 8 other properties. In western Loudoun, we have to innovate to get other agents to trek over "from the East" part of the county to see our listings...so I enrolled a number of other agents for a progressive lunch...appetizers, entree, and dessert...spread throughout the properties. PLUS, there were $300 in prizes and drawings..every agent had 3 chances to win!

Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Great, free food and prizes! Wrong!

A poor turnout, at best...just a handful of agents out of the 791 double-sided flyers we distributed to attract foot traffic to our listings. And that's with the bribes of food and prizes.

Well, I'm mostly sad for my hopeful sellers...who worked so hard to get their homes (in one case a builder with a lovely new construction offering) ready for show.

I'm a bit miffed, too...at some of the other agents who are quick to grumble about how "slow", or "dead" it is. All the while, they are contributing to the market paralysis...I'd rather they get out there and preview these and other homes for sale and be ready to share enthusiam with potential buyers.

I know how hard agents work to get a Brokers Open ready, especially if there are multiple properties. I feel it's my duty to preview, to participate, and show support for the other agents, irrespective of their brand or affiliation (disclosure, I'm with Keller Williams). So a few days/week, and nearly always on Tues, don't be surprised to see my name appearing in your lockbox report.

Thanks to the other agents that agreed to the "tour of homes" today. I have another idea for next month!

Home Buyers...it's a great time to buy a home in Northern Virginia, and especially in Loudoun County!

Best, Nikola

http://www.PaintingLoudounRed.com

High loan to value? At a time like this?

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Mon, 07 May 2007 23:49:16 -0700

The surprises don't stop, even in this market. However, this time they are pleasant surprises.

The Loudoun County resale market doesn't have its usual energy this Spring, to say the least. Coupled with tighter lending practices, my associates and I were bracing (although we're always hopeful) for a tough Spring...it would take a text book buyer to get qualified to buy in this market.

Then it happened...though we doubted it would, as did the several loan officers I spoke with...a high Loan-to-Value deal with low down payment got approved. And this just weeks after the Countrywide announcements and the related industry news.

I'm told the buyer never doubted it...the mortgage broker never doubted it...but what about underwriting? They have the final say. "Approved", they added.

So, "congrats" to that buyer...they'll get a lovely home, at a great time to buy. Congrats to the seller, too...somehow all their hard work to make their home the one selected from many paid off.

Any other brave souls out there? It really is a good time to buy a home (especially in Loudoun County!).

Best, Nikola

http://www.PaintingLoudounRed.com

Homes for Sale in Loudoun County!

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 21:32:29 -0700

I've seen some really good values as I recently reviewed homes for sale in Loudoun County, and especially homes for sale in Lansdowne, or other parts of Leesburg. It seems 2+ years have come off the the pricing at the highs of the market...and prices appear to have stabilized, in most cases. I'm recently seeing browsers, shoppers AND buyers at the $600,000 - $1,000,000+ range....a rarity as recently as 2-3 months ago...in Leesburg, Lansdowne, Belmont Country Club, Lowes Island, Cascades, Woodlea Manor and other areas.

It's RE season, I understand. But this seems like more than just seasonal. It may be the housing pendulum does have to obey the laws of physics and at least swing a bit the other way, too.

I'm confident real estate remains a good investment in Loudoun County. Contact your favorite Realtor, or give me a call to assist you as you buy or sell a hone in Loudoun County, VA!

Best, Nikola 703-579-7612

http://www.PaintingLoudounRed.com

How to stay optimistic in a down market? Grill out!

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 09:10:47 -0700

It's understandable that many sellers are frustrated with the slow progress of their sale, or low level of interest their home is attracting recently. Any many agents, at least in my home market of Loudoun County, feel they have over-used the bulk of their consoling comments, and are trying their best to keep optimistic in this difficult market.

Then it hit me...it's time to not let the home selling/buying process consume these customers lives and send them into a state of depression...(it still consumes mine, but, hey, I signed up for this!).

So, this week I'm asking my sellers to get back to planting their Spring flowers, refilling their propane tanks and begin grilling again, and plan to have a cookout in the next few weeks. I'm telling them "Enjoy your home while you have it...fill your home with good vibes and good times."

Oh, and remember to get out a paint brush at least once per week. There has to be at least one more spot you can touch up! We do still have to be the very best looking property on the market, and at the "right price"!

Will my ploys work? Not sure, but I may be invited to a few more cookouts! Best, Nikola.

Impact of New Builder Slowdown?

Nikola Tadie (EXIT Realty Talbot and Company) — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:42:05 -0700

In Western Loudoun County, the new home builders are really getting aggressive on their pricing to attract every buyer they can...and that is really putting downward pressure on the resale market just few miles, or even a few blocks, away. builders simply have better pricing power than nearly any homeowner that has bought in the past 5-6 years. Key for resale sellers....get in like-new condition, continue to plant and have "mature lawn" advantages, and make the necessary updates like granite, newer-style lights, and updated faucets. Even small things can give a youthful appearance to pre-owned homes.

Your preferred local realtor, or I, would be glad to assist in any way. Best, Nikola

http://www/PaintingLoudounRed.com