VA Real Estate Talk

Spelunking-Its Not Just for Exploring Caves Anymore

cindyjones — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:59:06 +0000

Back in my college days I used to do a little spelunking. Not serious enough to need loads of equipment but I did have a head lamp and developed an appreciation for how dark caves can be. We won’t talk about bats and other creatures that also enjoyed being in the caves. Suffice it to say guano is not cool.

These days my spelunking adventures seem to be on a different track. It isn’t about finding a new cave to explore but finding a Northern Virginia foreclosure where the lights are on. In the winter it is dark before more people manage to get off work. As a result unless a buyer can wait until the weekend to look for a house, most of the time we are fumbling around in the dark.

It is a mystery to me as to why lenders think the way to sell a home is to make it difficult to see. I understand turning off the water to avoid freezing pipes or to keep people who don’t understand the basics of personal hygiene from using the bathrooms but pitch black?

This past week my clients and I almost took a tumble down a broken staircase in a foreclosure and we are talking about a house in a upscale Northern Virginia neighborhood. It made me wondered if any prospective buyers or agents have sued lenders over accidents in dark houses?

Perhaps there is a method to the madness of leaving the lights off but after almost 2 years of showing houses in the dark I’m over it. I’m putting away the head lamp and waiting for more daylight before I risk a broken neck because the lender won’t pay for a few months worth of electricity.

Belmont Bay-Yes Virginia it is Still Snowing

cindyjones — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:25:26 +0000

16414 Steerage Circle-Port Potomac TH

cindyjones — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:30:46 +0000

Listed for $299,000 this Port Potomac Townhouse is the perfect place to call home

Quick Tour of 16414 Steerage Circle

River Falls in PW County Neighborhood Tour

cindyjones — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:44:38 +0000

If you are looking for luxury living in a Woodbridge VA community close to shopping, restaurants and multiple commuting options to DC then River Falls should be on your must see list.

During the summer months residents can enjoy the community swimming pool, tennis courts, Old Hickory Golf Club and plenty of nearby parks. Take in a Potomac Nationals game at nearby Pfitzner Stadium or a concert at the Sean Connaughton Plaza at the Prince William County Government Center.

Search River Falls Homes for Sale

Luxury Homes in Woodbridge VA ($500,000+)

For more information on new and resale homes in the River Falls Community in Woodbridge VA give me a call at 703-346-2213. Lets talk about whether it is time for you to move up to a new home. With great prices luxury living in River Falls has never been more affordable. No hassle, no pressure just straight talk as to whether now is the right time for you to buy a new home in River Falls or anywhere in Prince William County or the Northern Virginia area.

Looking to Sell Your Northern Virginia Home…or Not?

cindyjones — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:30:31 +0000

There are hundreds of agents vying to list your Northern Virginia home for sale. Some of them will offer you the moon and only deliver cheese. Here are a couple of hints for you consider when talking to agents about selling your home.

PHOTOS-do they take them? What is the quality? Do they make an effort to adjust the light so you can see the rooms. Do they help you stage the home for the best photos. How many photos do they take and when will the photos be uploaded to the MLS?

BROCHURES-do they provide them? Of course if they don’t take any photos probably won’t be any brochures (I’m not talking about a stack of MLS listings sheets in your house.)

DIRECTIONS-do they actually know how to get to your house? See MapQuest, use your GPS or Google the Address are not acceptable.

SHOWING INSTRUCTIONS-electronic lockboxes are all the rage these days. They make it easy for licensed agents and only licensed agents to show your home. They record who has been to your home for an agent to be able to request feedback. Having to track down an agent for a lockbox combo is so….2009.

CONTACTABILITY-is that a word? Anyway can anyone reach your agent? Voicemail messages that say you can reach me from 9-5 M to F should be a tip off. Or if the only way to reach the agent is via email then agents who have questions or want to right an offer may be left frustrated.

When you interview agents ask them to bring copies of their MLS listings so you can see how they present your home in the MLS. Remember that the MLS is what feeds most of the major real estate websites such including Realtor.com and if the information in the MLS is wrong it will be wrong on every syndication site as well.

And finally once your listing is in the MLS ask for a copy. Make sure that your agent is really trying to sell your home and not just list it for sale.

A Steal of a Deal *Montclair Mews**

cindyjones — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:42:52 +0000

If you are ready to grab a steal of a deal then have your pens ready to write an offer on this terrific 3 level TH in the Montclair Mews neighborhood in Prince William County. This property is offered at $179,000 and can close within 60-90 days.

Highlights:

Completely updated kitchen
New upscale vanities in all bathrooms
Master Bedroom w/Loft Space
Second Bedroom on Upper Level
Third Bedroom w/Full Bath on Lower Level
Deck backs to woods
Walk out Lower Level

Walk to Panera Bread, Starbucks, Target and Shoppers Food
Walk to commuter lot on Route 234

$179,000

Sold as part of the USACE Homeowners Assistance Program. Not a short sale but HAP needs to process paperwork. I’ve settled four of these properties this year so know information is accurate and deals are closing.

Open Sunday January 31, 2010 from 1-4PM

Sharing the Secrets of the HAP Program

cindyjones — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:23:00 +0000

Yesterday I had the chance to spend some time on Blog Talk Radio with Carra Riley, author of “Cosmic Cow Pie-Connecting the Dots” and “Purge the Pits.”

Carra talked to me about Northern Virginia real estate and the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program.

Listen to Cindy Jones on BlogTalkRadio

Relocating to NGA in Springfield VA?

cindyjones — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:37:37 +0000

With the new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) being built on the Fort Belvoir Engineering Proving Ground almost 6500 employees will be working in to the Springfield and Lorton area in the next few years.

For employees who will be moving to the new facility finding homes nearby will be important. Traffic in and out of NGA will be tough. Let’s face it anytime you move a significant amount of employees from diverse locations to one place no matter how well the various government agencies plan commuting will be a pain.

Fortunately there are a number of terrific communities that provide a variety of housing prices and styles within a few miles of the NGA facility.

Here is a selection of Homes for Sale in Lorton & Springfield close to NGA to give you an idea of what is available.

If you are relocating to the new NGA facility in Springfield in the near future give me a call at 703-346-2213 to talk about your housing needs. Let me show you the variety of options available that will work for your needs. No hassle, no pressure just straight talk about whether buying a home in today’s market is right for you.

Prince William County Year End Statistics

cindyjones — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:03:36 +0000

Real estate statistics are one indicator of what is happening in Prince William County VA. There is no doubt that declining inventory had an impact on the increase in prices. For sellers considering putting a home on the market in the next few months there are buyers who are looking to be under contract by April 30, 2010 in order to take advantage of the first time homebuyers or repeat buyers tax credit.

The numbers on these charts are for detached homes in Prince William County VA.

If you are considering selling your home in Prince William County VA in 2010 give me a call at 703-346-2213. Let’s talk about the data specific to your neighborhood.

***Stats provided by NVAR and the MRIS***

Prince William County Schools Win Excellence Awards

cindyjones — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:07:16 +0000

Congratulations are in order for four Prince William County Schools on their 2010 Virginia Govenor’s Award of Excellence.

Bristow Run Elementary
Old Bridge Elementary
Springwoods Elementary
Swans Creek Elementary

The award orginally started in 2007 by the State Board of Education requires that schools meet achievement goals for two consecutive years. The award looks at reading success, math achievement and graduation rates (for high schools) as examples.

All of these schools have either an 8 or 9 ranking on the Great Schools website as well. Many of the clients I work with who are relocating to Prince William County refer to this site prior to a housing hunting trip to the area.

Additionally a number of Prince William County Schools won VIP Award Status