Don't Forget Your Flashlight:  Fall and Winter House Hunting in Northern Virginia

Foreclosures and short sales continue to dominate the Northern Virginia real estate market.  And it is not uncommon for these properties to have no electricity.  When you're house hunting after four-thirty in the afternoon, you need to consider the lack of daylight and electricity.  The solution:

BRING A FLASHLIGHT!

Distressed properties may not have electricity.  Banks that own foreclosures are often too cheap to spring for the electric bill.  Short sale sellers may not be able to afford to light a vacant home.  That means that late afternoon and evening house hunting trips can be disappointing if you don't come prepared.

Of course, if you see a dark foreclosure or short sale with only the light of a flashlight and are considering making an offer, make sure you go back in daylight to take a closer look.  Flashlights can give you the idea of the home, but for details, there is nothing as revealing as sunlight.  You may see details in the property that make you want to reconsider the details in your offer.

Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker- Licensed in Virginia, GRI, SFR, Northern Virginia Short Sale Specialist. Affiliated with Long & Foster, 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155.  To contact Chris Ann, call 703-402-0037 or email chrisann@LNF.com.  Or you can visit her website:  www.nvarealestate.net.

Header photos taken by Chris Ann Cleland.

The opinions expressed in this post are those of Chris Ann Cleland, not those of Long & Foster REALTORS®.

 
This post has been included in Virginia Real Estate News Prince William County, VA Real Estate News
Post is included in group: 1st Time Buyers
Post is included in group: America's Best Agents
Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor
Post is included in group: REALTOR LIFE
Post is included in group: Realtors®

15 Comments on Don't Forget Your Flashlight: Fall and Winter House Hunting in Northern Virginia

DEC
17
2009
246,099 Points 7 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

Good tips here.  I just bought a new car and keep forgetting to switch my flashlight over.  You are correct about everything above.  There are so many properties without electric right now.
9:08am • #1
3 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

Mag lights are good for so many other things as well! Squashing bugs, defense, etc.! House hunting is truly an adventure now! Seriously, I never leave home without my flashlight and my phone! Great tip!
9:13am • #2
156,166 Points

Great reminder.  I always carry two flashlights with me this time of year.  These days we are showing more and more empty homes and many are without power.
9:48am • #3
122,675 Points 3 Featured Posts

The flashlight is my number one piece of equipment!  I got caught too many times without a flashlight.  Now I keep it in the car at all times.  It's awful to be in a situation and not be able to see into a basement or attic.  Thanks for the post!  -Marian
9:52am • #4
1,520,837 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

David:  It's a hassle, but can also be a safety issue considering the condition of some of these homes.

Sonia:  I have a pocket flashlight.  About five inches long, but BRIGHT.  Works like a charm.

Tom:  It's hard to picture a cold house as "home."  Take a buyer through at night with no lights and have it freezing cold....well....it's an experience that rarely results in an offer.

Marian:  That's true. Even in homes with electricity there are areas that are dark.
10:43am • #5
106,027 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I have a mini flashlight right on my keychain.  It was helpful in opening locks after dark.  Our MLS just changed out our Lockbox keys and the new ones have the neat feature of a small flashlight built right in.     
11:04am • #6
1,520,837 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Cathy:  That's cool that your lockbox key has a mini flashlight.  What is your lockbox system?  I have a Sentrilock card, and a Supra key, but none have the flashlight.
11:44am • #7
106,027 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Our provider is Metrolist and we used the Supra Key.  They just switched last week to "Active Key".  It's also a supra product, and is made by GE.     Hope that helps. 
12:11pm • #8
1,520,837 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Cathy:  I think my Supra key is last generation then.  Thanks for answering.
1:29pm • #9
725,730 Points 63 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Chris Ann... I always have a flashlight in my glovebox for this exact reason.  It has saved me many times!
1:55pm • #10
1,520,837 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Steve:  Saved you and your buyers, I'm sure.  Dark houses are no fun.
2:05pm • #11
312,108 Points 10 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Hit Router

Chris Ann ---- I'm glad that you suggested that one go back during day light if they are planning to write an offer.

                            Happy Holidays
                                 Clipart                                                                                                                     
                                 

2:31pm • #12
1,520,837 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Liz:  It's an absolute necessity.  There's only so much you can see by the light produced by two D batteries.
2:48pm • #13
DEC
18
2009
147,351 Points 2 Featured Posts

I live by my flashlight.  Even with the lights on a good flashlight can help "see" things that might be over looked.
6:12pm • #14
DEC
19
2009
1,520,837 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jim:  I gave mine to a 3 year old house hunter last night when I realized the lights were on.  She was in closets and finding things that home inspectors wouldn't have even noticed.  It was funny.
3:05pm • #15


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention:
 
Chris_2841_copy Ambassador_large

Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker, Northern VA

Bristow, VA

More about me…

Long & Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA

Address: 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA, 20155

Office Phone: (703) 402-0037

Cell Phone: (703) 402-0037

Email Me



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find VA real estate agents and Bristow real estate on ActiveRain.