northern virginia real estate: The House That Built Me
- 05/03/10 02:34 AM
I could never see a house simply as a piece of real estate - ever. Even before my career in real estate, there was always a story I could see, hear and feel even in someone else's home. I recently posted My First Love about the emotions I felt while closing a settlement recently with first-time homebuyers. Ironically, this song was playing after the settlement and I was moved to tears by the lyrics. I thought of young families suffering in this economy and losing their homes - their piece of security - their future. It pains me to think of … (2 comments)
northern virginia real estate: Stafford County Statistics Conflict Between North and South Stafford
- 04/07/10 04:49 AM
While the market is certainly showing signs of improvement, there is a signficant disparity between sales prices and volume in North Stafford (22554, 22556) and South Stafford (22405, 22406). Northeast Stafford (22554) showed consistant improvement in sales volume and average and median prices. However, all areas of the county showed a siginficant decrease in the number of days on the market with the highest being in 22405 (southeast Stafford) - 65.81%. Northwest Stafford showed the highest increase in average sold prices from 2009 to 2010 with an increase of 40.23%. Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. ZIP Code Statistics ZIP Code: 22406 … (0 comments)
northern virginia real estate: Winding Creek Estates Rental is Exquisite!
- 01/05/10 04:03 AM
Winding Creek Estates - Amazing Home! 5895 Moonbeam Dr, Woodbridge, VA 22193 View Map This is a home you won't want to miss. Exquisite condition for this enormous home close to everything. Every convenience you'll need - Master bedroom with enormous master bath; spacious, sunny rooms; hot tub, multi-tiered deck, stone patio, fenced backyard fully equipped with custom-made kids' playset; dream recreation room wired for surround sound, with wet bar and poker room; au-pair suite with walk-in closet and full bath; washer and dryer on bedroom level; hardwood foyer and kitchen; warm and sunny family room. All this and only minutes … (0 comments)
northern virginia real estate: Short Sale Investors - Are They ALL a Greedy Bunch?
- 08/09/09 12:21 PM
Having just closed the absolute worst transaction of my real estate career, the anger and resentment are still very real. We can't always anticipate the integrity of the party on the other side - whether the agent or the client. I happened to be cursed with an incompetent agent with little to no experience and a witch of a short sale investor. The agent's ignorance was only surpassed by her client's arrogance. Without getting too involved in specifics, buyer presents a VA offer at an agreed upon sales price, at an agreed upon date, with an agreed upon earnest money deposit, … (4 comments)
northern virginia real estate: Say Good Bye to the Beloved Cul-de-sac
- 03/25/09 12:09 AM
Metropolitan Design Center Image Bank, Regents of the University of Minnesota The Commonwealth of Virginia has decided to take a hard stand against the very popular concept of cul-de-sacs. Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine (D) claims "When you have 350 to 400 miles a year of new roads you have to maintain forever, it's a budgetary problem." Kaine, who pushed this new regulation through the Commonwealth Transportation Board last month, says "it's not just about money." While trying to trim the current budget by $2.2 billion from its 6-year transportation spending plan, Kaine insists that the changes are "about connecting land-use and … (2 comments)
northern virginia real estate: Ashburn Village with Lakeviews is Stunning!
- 01/31/09 07:41 AM
Exceptional Buy in Ashburn Village 44175 Tippecanoe Ter, Ashburn, VA 20147 View Map This is a beautiful and open Lakewood model on the lake at Ashburn Village. Experience the peaceful surroundings of this wonderful community, as well as, the man amenities including one of the BEST sports pavillions in Virginia. With indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centers, Washington & Old Dominion Trail, shopping, schools, playgrounds and more, you will never be bored! Come see this immaculate home with lots of light, gorgeous lake views, fenced backyard, deck, vaulted ceilings, recessed lights, and custom paint. It's ready NOW and seller's are sacrificing … (0 comments)
northern virginia real estate: The Ultimate Odd Couple
- 01/19/09 08:36 AM
I struggled with this - should I bother trying to make the real estate to life connection? Then I decided - quite quickly - NO! Don't look for any real estate advice or guidance in this post. The message is crystal clear. I suppose you could make some arbitrary connection to the real estate world but the bigger picture is obvious - and just beautiful! Enjoy!!
… (4 comments)
northern virginia real estate: Winding Creek Estates Rental is Exquisite!
- 01/10/09 01:22 PM
Winding Creek Estates - Amazing Home! 5895 Moonbeam Dr, Woodbridge, VA 22193 View Map This is a home you won't want to miss. Exquisite condition for this enormous home close to everything. Every convenience you'll need - Master bedroom with enormous master bath; spacious, sunny rooms; hot tub, multi-tiered deck, stone patio, fenced backyard fully equipped with custom-made kids' playset; dream recreation room wired for surround sound, with wet bar and poker room; au-pair suite with walk-in closet and full bath; washer and dryer on bedroom level; hardwood foyer and kitchen; warm and sunny family room. All this and only minutes … (3 comments)
northern virginia real estate: A Thanksgiving Gift
- 11/18/08 05:35 AM
My father's birthday is November 21st. My earliest memories of him were of the joy his birthday brought - not because of the gifts - but because of the family that gathered, usually at Thanksgiving. It was the beginning of the season he loved best - Thanksgiving and Christmas. He was a large man - a formidable figure to most - with large blue eyes that seemed to sparkle like a child's when he was in the presence of his family and a home cooked meal.
My father would have been 68 years old...God took him 12 years ago after … (11 comments)
northern virginia real estate: Election Alert - Transportation Bond Referendum - Stafford, VA
- 11/03/08 05:48 AM
On Tuesday, November 4th Stafford County residents will be voting on a transportation referendum that will allow the Board of Supervisors to borrow $70 million by issuing bonds to fund specific road and pedestrian projects throughout the county. This bond referendum would call for the borrowing to begin in 2010 and $147 million in projects to begin. The referendum is printed below and includes the specific projects. Transportation is one of the most important and often debated issues throughout the Commonwealth and especially in Northern Virginia.
QUESTION: Shall Stafford County, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation … (3 comments)
northern virginia real estate: Congratulations to St. Francis of Assisi Girls' Volleyball Teams!
- 10/31/08 02:25 AM
As the proud mother of 12 year old Mia Ward - outstanding hitter, server, and defensive player, if I may gush - I wanted to take a moment and congratulate the St. Francis of Assisi JV and Varsity Girls' Volleyball teams for their tremendous season this year. When I started this program 7 years ago, I had no idea it would become so dynamic and successful. The girls and their coaches, Angie Roeske and Traci Helfer, are to thank for that. The parents' continued support, enthusiasm and efforts to get their girls to the many practices and games were a large reason for the … (0 comments)
northern virginia real estate: Sale of Existing Homes Rise 5.5% in September
- 10/24/08 11:26 PM
September saw the highest level of existing home sales in nearly two years. Sales rose 5.5% in September over the August 2008 figures. This increase is the first time since November 2005 that sales have risen over the prior month's performance.
The National Association of Realtors reports that the increase represents sales of single family homes, townhouses, condominiums and cooperatives. This pace reflects a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.18 million units sold. This is an increase of 1.4% over the same period in 2007. The median price of existing homes fell to $191,600 during September which is down from … (4 comments)
northern virginia real estate: A Buyer's Agents View of The Foreclosure Process - Gone Bad!
- 10/21/08 12:14 AM
Allow me this opportunity to vent about the pit falls of the foreclosure transaction. As a buyer's agent, I am often times dealing with overworked and under staffed listing agents who are tackling the daunting task of trying to represent banks to sell foreclosures. I find myself in the unenviable position of trying, many times in vain, to protect my client's interests in what can often times be a very frustrating transaction.
The Regional Sales Contract - Throw it away, rip it up, use it for toilet paper - it's not worth a darn. The bank's addendum supersede's this contract at almost … (7 comments)
northern virginia real estate: Stafford Aids Chesapeake Bay Clean-Up
- 10/08/08 01:48 PM
Virginia state officials have announced that they will be disbursing about $188 Million around the state to assist local jurisdictions in their efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. Stafford County is expected to receive between $5.5M and $7.6M from the State Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund to upgrade the Little Falls Run Wastewater Treatment Plant that discharges into the Rappahannock River. The Rappahannock feeds into the Chesapeake Bay near Stingray Point.
The state, working with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, has set a goal of 2010 to clean up "point-source pollution" and reduce the volume of nutrients flowing … (2 comments)
northern virginia real estate: The writing on the wall was perfectly clear
- 10/07/08 02:29 AM
In an attempt to increase home ownership among minorities and low to moderate income consumers, the Clinton Administration was instrumental in putting pressure on Fannie Mae to expand loan options to this demographic. The article in the New York Times from September 30, 1999 is crystal clear in its analysis and prediction. In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending, Fannie Mae is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the … (4 comments)
northern virginia real estate: Recycling Days in Stafford
- 09/15/08 01:10 PM
The Rappahannock Regional Solid Waste Management Board has set four days for county residents to rid their homes of old and broken electronics. Beginning Wednesday, September17th and continuing through Saturday, September 20th Stafford residents will be able to drop off various electronics at the Regional Landfill located at 489 Eskimo Hill Rd. This is a safe and environmentally safe way to dispose of electronics. Since the county began this service in 2003 over 300 tons of unwanted electronics have been collected. Proof of residency will be required to drop off. The landfill will be open from 8am to 4pm. A … (1 comments)
northern virginia real estate: Fannie Mae Takeover - Good News!
- 09/15/08 07:24 AM
On Sunday, September 7th, the United States Treasury Department announced the government takeover of mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. These two private corporations were created by the federal government decades ago to make mortgage loans less expensive. In recent months, Freddie Mac and Fannie have funded more than two thirds of U.S. home loans. However, the soft real estate market coupled with high-risk sub-prime mortgages issued over the past few years have made the stability of these two organizations uncertain. In July, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulsen asked Congress to authorize the takeover if the two were unable to show … (2 comments)
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