loudoun county: We Need Sellers - 04/06/11 12:25 PM
We need sellers!  It's true.  Inventory levels are very low right now in our area.  Check out this article in the Washington Examiner talking about what a hot market the DC Metro area is!  It's true that sellers are now seeing multiple offers on competitive priced homes in good condition.  The charts below show the inventory levels (in grey) for Fairfax and Loudoun Counties.  The green line indicates the absorbtion level (note it is higher than the inventory level).  Basically, it means good listings are selling like hot cakes! If you own property in Fairfax County or Loudoun County, or anywhere … (0 comments)

loudoun county: Making Open Houses Work - 04/03/11 02:03 PM
How do you feel about Open Houses?  It's true that statistically very few homes are sold at open houses.  I think, however, that is because most agents don't approach them strategically.  I do.  I have sold many homes because of an open house. I admit that sometimes I am selling the house and the buyers already have an agent... but the point is had they not seen the home with me, I am not sure they would have bought.  Why? Sales skills.  Pure sales. Here are some tips, step by step, on making sure that Open Houses are successful: Successful Open … (1 comments)

loudoun county: Marketing Your Open House ~ Beyond the Basics - 04/03/11 10:32 AM
My marketing plan includes many proven methods which are in use by most professional real estate agents. The difference with me is how I choose to take everything to the next level. Today I am going to use open house promotion as an example. Here are seven levels of marketing an open house. As you begin to read the list you’ll see that most agents do some of these things when they hold an open house. Then you’ll see that very few agents do them all. Level 1: Put a sign in the yard. Level 2: Add balloons (where allowed) and/or … (1 comments)

loudoun county: Little League Kicks Off Season at Good Times Park (Leesburg VA) - 04/02/11 04:51 AM
Central Loudoun Little League held opening day ceremonies, despite the threat of rain, this morning at Good Times Park in NE Leesburg. There are 976 kids registered in CLLL this year, which includes 22 coach pitch teams. Little League is open for kids aged 4 to 12.  Last year, Little League adopted a rule allowing children as young as four years old to join.  Loudoun just adopted the rule this year. FETCH, the Loudoun Hounds mascot, came out to help inspire and motivate during the Opening Day Ceremonies.  The kids loved meeting him personally.
See more photos at www.Facebook.com/LeesburgVA
… (1 comments)

loudoun county: Is Your Loudoun County Home Listed Yet? - 03/30/11 12:57 PM
I am often asked about what our local seasonal cycles are for real estate, so I thought I'd pass along this chart (thanks MRIS) for real estate sales volume in Loudoun County since 2006.  Despite fluxuations due to weather, tax programs, loan programs, interest rates and many other things, this chart shows a definitive cycle for our area.  Lowest sales have been occurring in January and February and the highest number of sales usually in June of every year.  Keep in mind, this chart represents closed sales.  Most residential contracts are 30-60 days in contract (of course, with short sales that … (0 comments)

loudoun county: The Leesburg Real Estate Scene in 2011-Recovery Underway! - 03/24/11 08:10 AM
We're well into 2011 and the market is very different than a few years ago.  In 2008, almost the only properties selling were REOs.   By 2009/2010, the banks had seen the value in working with short sales and had enough trained staff that they were able to start processing the requests in enough time to avoid foreclosure and actually get to the closing table.  In order for production builders to stay in business, they had to keep building, but they had to adjust their price and product.  This meant they needed to renegotiate deals with investors, the localities and their lenders.  … (0 comments)

loudoun county: Down Payment Assistance Options - 02/27/11 06:47 AM
Unless you are a vetaran and qualify for the VA no money down loan, there are very few  no money down loan options available for home buyers today, right?  Wrong.There are far more programs available than most would expect.  The programs work with FHA loans and are anything from grants to forgiveable loans to fully amoritized loans.  Granted, there are other restrictions - the location and condition of the home, and income limits, in most cases.  But the programs are out there.For Loudoun County employees, for example, there are grants of $5000 to $15000 to help employees buy a home in … (4 comments)

loudoun county: How Dr King Changed The Landscape of Our Neighborhoods - 01/17/11 03:17 PM
Today is a holiday designated to remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his many contributions to our society....not the least of which are laws (Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Fair Housing Law) ensuring that persons of all races have equal access to housing.
It's hard to tell when the Federal Fair Housing Act would have eventually been passed, or in what form, if it weren't for the life and works of Dr. King.  The Act had been bouncing around Congress for a couple of years, unable to get necessary support. 
Then on April 4, 1968 Rev. Dr. Martin … (0 comments)

loudoun county: Because It Is The Thought That Counts - 12/30/10 06:27 AM
I just received an email from a client.  I sold an investment home they owned a couple of months ago.  She sent me a lovely card with the kindest words and a gift certificate for dinner out with my family.  I sent an email wishing her and her family happy holidays, thanking her for the gift and card, and asked if she'd like to get together after the first of the year.  In her response, she mentioned that she was still getting e-cards from her prior property manager..(they parted on less than ideal terms).... "it's nice to know we're still in this thoughts"... she … (2 comments)

loudoun county: Painting the Town Red - 12/29/10 01:10 PM
Painting the Town Red Hey, there Lo Co Home Sellers!  New in 2011, Keller Williams Realty will be painting Loudoun County RED once a month. It is our plan to hold as many of our listings open on the same day each month as possible, literally painting the town(s) with our red signs.  Imagine the number of showings on your home when that many homes are held open on the same day! Your home deserves to get the most attention as possible.  This is just one of MANY ways we work to do that.  Call me and find out more. And … (0 comments)

loudoun county: Loudoun is Alive With Music! - 06/29/10 03:13 PM
This summer's gonna be "hot-hot-hot"!  But wherever you are in Loudoun, there's sure to be cool music playing. Check out this list of outdoor music series offered throughout the county.ThursdaysBRAMBLETON'S SUMMER SIZZLIN CONCERTSLocation: BrambletonLive concerts bi-weekly on Thursdays, Jul 1- Aug 26Cost: FREEhttp://www.brambleton.com/towncenter/FridaysLANSDOWNE SOUNDS OF SUMMER SERIES Location: Lansdowne Resort, Leesburg, VALive evening concerts every Friday starting June 18thCost: FREEhttp://www.lansdownesensations.com/sounds-of-summer/SaturdaysSUMMER MUSIC SERIES BY COCA-COLALocation: Leesburg Premium Outlet Mall, Leesburg, VALive concerts 6 different Saturday afternoons (check schedule), June 12 to Aug 28Cost: FREEhttp://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/sales.asp?id=14ACOUSTIC ON THE GREENLocation: Town Green, Historic Leesburg (25 West Market Street)Live concerts Saturday evenings June 12-August 28Cost: FREEhttp://www.acousticonthegreen.com/BLUEMONT … (2 comments)

loudoun county: New Laws About Alternative Septic Systems in Virginia - 06/28/10 10:38 AM
There are new laws - "Emergency Laws" - in effect now in the state of Virginia which regulate the maintenance and legal operation of so called "alternative septic systems". 
Alternative septic systems are anything that are not "conventional" systems.  Some common types include: Advantex, Delta Whitewater, Puraflo, Eco-flow and Sandfilter.  If you have one of these types of system (available only for the past 20 years), then these laws DO apply to you. 
Under these new regulations, HOMEOWNERS: 
Must maintain an Operations and Maintenance Manual.
Must maintain a relationship with a licensed operator.  In most cases this means that you have … (0 comments)

loudoun county: Attn: Loudoun Co Soccer Moms and Dads: SAVE BOLEN PARK (TODAY) - 03/18/10 07:54 AM
As a Loudoun "Soccer Mom" I received this email from the Loudoun Soccer Association that I wanted to circulate to you all:  We are reaching out to you today to request your help on a very important issue that will affect us all. As many of you know, back in 2000 we voted to accept a bond referendum to build 104 acre Phillip Bolen Park, to be located near Leesburg Airport. This park will help to serve the entire county by easing some of the field shortages that we have been experiencing. This park will have 6 lighted, irrigated soccer fields. … (0 comments)

loudoun county: (LivingInLoCo) March is Red Cross Month - 03/18/10 07:49 AM
March is Red Cross month. Did you know that? The Red Cross operates locally, nationally and internationally... and when all else fails you, it's often the Red Cross that will come to your aid. Be sure to support them, so that when you need it, they can support you. You can find out how to support the Loudoun County Red Cross Chapter, as well as the National and Internation relief efforts in Haiti and around the globe, on their web site: http://loudounredcross.org/ In honor of Red Cross Month, the www.Facebook.com/LeesburgVa fan page has added the Leesburg blood drive locations this month … (0 comments)

loudoun county: St. Patricks Day - A Different Perspective - 03/17/10 02:47 AM
Did you know in the early days of America's settlement the Irish were considered the least valuable members of society? In those days, building canals, bridges and the like were considered among the most dangerous and deadly of jobs.  So only the Irish were hired for those jobs, because the loss of a few Irish was considered a blessing.  In fact, THAT is the route of the famous St. Patricks Day parades throughout the world.  It was the Irish Society of Boston that organized the first St Patricks Day parade in 1737 - not as celebration but as a political statement about … (1 comments)

loudoun county: LivingInLoCo: Scholarship Opportunities - 03/15/10 03:57 AM
Scholarship Opportunities Many of you have children about to graduation from High School.  Of course, every parent wants to be able to pay for college or technical school after high school, but with the economy the way it is now, the question is how? Even though the amounts may seem small ($500, $1000) there are many scholarships available locally.   Take a look first at your family.  Are any of you members of industry associations, clubs, churches, sport leagues, credit unions?  Check there and see what opportunities might exist to apply for scholarships through those organizations.  Then, look at your child... what … (0 comments)

loudoun county: You Might Not Need A REALTOR IF... Reason #9 - 02/19/10 03:09 AM
You Might NOT Need  A REALTOR IF.... Reason #9
You Ain't Afraid of No Judge
I suppose, to a certain extent, that I am being a bit facetious with this post.  Most people, even many attorneys, will tell you that if they can avoid going into a court room, they will.  Why?  Well, who knows how things will turn out if you go into a court room.  Even if you win, you're likely to still feel like a loser.  The judicial process itself  is exhausting.  But, maybe you don't mind, and if you don't, well then maybe, just maybe, you'll get lucky … (0 comments)

loudoun county: LivingInLoCo: Express Bus Service to Tysons - 02/16/10 01:04 AM
Loudoun County will hold two public input sessions on the Express Bus Service to Tysons; one in Ashburn on February 16th (today) and another in Leesburg on February 23rd. 
Please see this link for more details: http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=2996
Also, please "FAN" our Facebook page to get important updates on Leesburg centric and Loudoun news via Facebook - look for Leesburg, VA, or click this link! 
This announcement brought to you by your local real estate expert:
Vicky Chrisner, Keller Williams Realty.  http://www.vickychrisner.com/
… (0 comments)

loudoun county: Are YOU Being Played? Learn About Loudoun's Vote on the Limestone Overlay District! - 02/15/10 01:42 AM
The Dulles Association of REALTORS wants you to know about the upcoming vote regarding the Limestone Overlay District!! This is copied straight from their web site:

Contact the Supervisors and say "No" to the Limestone Overlay District!To address a perceived problem concerning limestone sensitive features, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (LCBOS) is expected to vote on a proposed ordinance imposing unnecessary restrictions on property owners living within the so-called Limestone Overlay District on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010. If the LCBOS votes to adopt the LOD, property and home owners within the 14,000-acre district are likely to see their property … (1 comments)

loudoun county: (Not So) Secret Sledding Spot in Leesburg - 02/13/10 02:36 PM
Sledding at Meadow Hill I am going to share a local secret with you...
There's a little hill a few blocks southwest of downtown Leesburg, located on what's left of a farm - a GREAT SLEDDING HILL! 
And there is a lovely little sign that reads:    "The Meadow Hill Private Property. 
The children of Leesburg may use this hill, if...
RULES: 1-Sled at your own risk. 2-Small children must be attended. 3-Don't bother the livestock. 4-A wood fire only.  Do not burn tires." 
 
The rules seemed reasonable to me... so my kids, my neighbors and I greatly enjoy free use … (4 comments)