Archive for June, 2008
Checking That Vinyl Siding
June 30th, 2008 categories: For Homeowners
I found a interesting topic that many of you in this area should be aware of during a home inspection. VINYL SIDING… What can go wrong with vinyl siding? You may be surprised. This article from my friend in NC will help you out.
Check That Vinyl Siding Before You Buy A Home
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Worst MLS Photos Of The Week
June 27th, 2008 categories: Worst MLS Photos
Here are a few of the great photos I found this week that I thought I would share in the, “I didn’t hire a professional photographer to shoot my listings section” of the mls this week. Enjoy.
I hope the new owners are not too tall.
Flash?
Have a great weekend!
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Broadlands Live Concert Series
June 26th, 2008 categories: Broadlands, For Fun
Last Friday night some friends and I took advantage of the free concert series being offered monthly by the Broadlands. I personally wasn’t too impressed by the opening band Road Soda who seemed more like a karaoke band. However, I cannot grant enough accolades to the bank Derek James who had a great sound. I was able to grab a few poor quality photos on my phone camera (captured below). Besides the music, there were kids everywhere of all ages. Broadlands did a fantastic job with all of their sponsors and volunteers setting all of this up.
Broadlands will be holding 3 more outdoor concert events this summer:
July 18 ’80s DRESS UP NIGHT
5:30-6:30 p.m. The Backseat Betties
7-9:30 p.m. Gonzo’s Nose
Aug. 15 CHILDREN’s OPENER
5:30-6:30 p.m. Mr. Chad Band
7-9:30 p.m. Savingnine
Sept. 12 5:30-6:30 p.m. Bad Luck
7-9:30 p.m. Scott’s New Band
Hillside Park (Old Stone House) 42935 Waxpool Road
5:30-9:30 p.m. (weather permitting)
Related Articles:Loudoun’s Summer Music Concerts And Festivals
Brambleton Outdoor Concert Series
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Loudoun County Absorption Rate
June 25th, 2008 categories: Loudoun County, Market Statistics
It is Wednesday and Wednesday is for stats at the The Real Estate Bakery. SO… I have decided to add a new tool to the belt of those of you who enjoy my weekly stats.
Ladies and Gettleman, I am proud to introduce, “ABSORPTION RATES.”
Absorption rates is a term that defines the amount of time it would take for the market to consume all of the current inventory if no more homes were added to the market.
For the past few months in Loudoun this rate has been dropping so this is a good thing. Currently in June, if no more homes were added to the market it would take 24.88 weeks to sell all of the homes on the market. Here is a helpful chart that I have created for you.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Loudoun County Monthly Sales Stats!
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Hamlets At Red Cedar By Pulte Homes: Community Of The Week
June 24th, 2008 categories: Community Of The Week
I have been wanting to write on the Hamlets at Red Cedar for a long time. It has to be one of the most well thought out communities in Leesburg. I can’t be the only one that has thought that since they were Loudoun’s best selling community all through 2007. When I am showing people around Ashburn neighborhoods I always try to find a way to drag them out to the Hamlets for a quick view. I haven’t been able to convince everyone to surrender the ideal of Ashburn but I have had A LOT of people on the edge of their seats and spoiled them once they see these homes and prices.
You tell me… What other community in Loudoun County is spread over 1,300 acres with 900 of it being just for open space and conservatory? When pulling in to the community you begin to realize that you have just stepped outside of the hustle of Northern VA and that there actually are trees that are older than seedlings between homes in new communities.
Pulte began selling the Hamlets at Red Cedar off site in 2005 and is over two thirds complete. When complete there will only be 350 homes. Don’t worry, a small community still has amenities; 5 parks, 2 tot lots, 3.5 miles of walking trails, a pool, club house, and 24 hour fitness center.
The home types currently being offered at Red Ceder by Pulte:
- Manor Collection- 1/4-1/5 acre home-sites (low-mid 500’s)
- Ambassador Series- 1/2 acre home-sites (mid 600’s - low 700’s)
- Stone Ridge Collection- 1/2-1 acre home-sites (low 700’s- mid 900’s)
Schools:
- Elementary- Sycolin Creek **This school is brand new and in the community**
- Middle- J.L. Simpson
- High School- Loudoun County
- ## Also being built on site is the future site of Loudoun County Day School.
If you are interested in receiving more information on the Hamlets at Red Cedar CONTACT ME. If you decide to visit Karen or Kelly let them know Jon Bunn sent you!
Want to read about other communities for sale? CLICK HERE
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I do not represent Pulte. Information is deemed reliable but should be verified for accuracy. All photos were taken from Pulte.com.
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3 Ways To Know You Did Not Get Ripped Off…
June 23rd, 2008 categories: Buyers, Real Estate News
A few weeks ago my 2 year old camera decided to stop working all together. I have to be in the top 5 list for thrifty shoppers in Loudoun so I went in to my 3 week long education mode of shopping sites, visiting stores, asking smart people, and then when it was time to pull the trigger on buying a camera I did what all thrifty shoppers do….. go to ebay.
Before it arrived I boasted to my friends what a great deal I had gotten and that I would be happy to let them know how it turns out. Well, last Thursday it arrived… I open up my new camera box to receive the fruit of my labor and there it was. A camera… that would have been cool if I would have purchased it 5 years ago…. SLOW , LARGE , and needing AA BATTERIES. So much for my great deal.
Well, when it comes to purchasing homes in a market when there are a lot of great deals out there, how can you rest at night knowing that you received a good deal and didn’t get ripped off?
This is actually a HUGE question so I will attempt to answer this with 3 tips I believe you find helpful and that I may expound upon in the future.
1. Don’t Purchase During Your First Time Out- I know that I will be put in Realtor time out for this one because there is nothing greater for a Realtor than a quick and easy transaction. But remember, this isn’t about me. This about you sleeping good at night and knowing you didn’t miss an opportunity.
It is sooooo important that you choose the neighborhood that you are going to live in for at least the next few years based on at least a little research. Pull the crime reports, check out the schools, talk to a few residents, find the nearest major roads, etc… Listen, it is always tempting to pull the trigger during a huge builder sale and sometimes you should. However, this is too big of a decision to make without a night of sleep between it.
2. Know That Specific Market- Apples and Apples, Oranges and Oranges… But when it comes to striking a deal you had better know the Read the rest of this entry »
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Ugly MLS Photos. Where Is The Room?
June 20th, 2008 categories: For Fun, Worst MLS Photos
I found these two photos this week while searching the MLS. Thought I would share.
Is there a room is this photo?
Is this room leaning?
Have a great weekend!
RELATED ARTICLES:
Pulte And Dell Webb Sales Event (THIS WEEKEND!!!)
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Loudoun County Monthly Sales Stats!
June 19th, 2008 categories: Loudoun County, Market Statistics
I have been busy on getting a home to settlement so I missed yesterday’s stats. Therefore, I am making it up to you. These stats cover all of Loudoun County.
A few GOOD notes (forgive me for being optimistic… there are plenty of negative sites out there for those looking).
- We have continued to see a climb in homes sold which carried over in May.
- Average sales prices INCREASED for the first time in months!
- There are LESS homes now on the market than before! Less supply.
- Fewer new listings went on the market in May.
RELATED ARTICLES
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Pulte And Dell Webb Sales Event
June 17th, 2008 categories: Community Of The Week
If you have been riding the fence on when to purchase a NEW home this upcoming weekend is the time to pull it off. Seriously. I have mentioned before that Pulte is one of my favorite local builders and this weekend they are having what they are calling their “SUMMER SAVING DAYS.”
This weekend from the 20th-22nd of June, Pulte Homes and Dell Webb Communities are offering home buyers CRAZY incentives that range from…
1¢ Options*
1¢ Will Move You In**
1 Mortgage for 3 Months***
Up to and Additional 10% Off the Purchase Price***Keep in mind, incentives are based on certain criteria- READ HERE**
Pulte has some great communities in the Loudoun Area that I would recommend.
- Windemere in Ashburn (by the Broadlands)
- Red Ceder (In Leesburg- A Beautifu Community, Contact me for the inside scoop)
- Potomac Green (Adult Community in Ashburn near Ashburn Village)
I sell a lot of new construction homes and have had great success in landing great deals for my clients with builders and would be happy to assist you in getting a great deal.
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Virginia Tenant Guidelines
June 16th, 2008 categories: Real Estate News
It is renting season right now and I am working on a couple for some clients. I thought I would give you a few tenant guidelines that I found outlined in the Washington Post. Homeowners who are considering renting as an option should also know these laws before renting out their properties in Virginia.
Tenant Guidelines From The Washington Post Online
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Keep in Mind, I am no lawyer… Nor do I verify the accuracy of this article. Laws vary from state to state.
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