Local Issues
Loudoun Tax Facts
February 3rd, 2012 Categories: For Homeowners, Local Issues, Loudoun County
Yesterday, I attended a class taught by the Loudoun County tax assessor, Todd Kaufman. Todd shared a lot of valuable information including the major sources or income from Loudoun, exemption information, and how to appeal a tax assessment. I have decided to share a few of my notes with you…
Interesting Facts…
- Loudoun County is the SECOND LARGEST county portfolio in Virginia.
- Loudoun’s property portfolio is over $56 Billion with over 120,000 parcels!
- The number of parcels have DOUBLED since 1997!
- There is over $5 BILLION of property in Loudoun that receives tax free exemption status. Almost $4 Billion of it is government property.
- The county judges your square footage based upon exterior measurements. Not by measuring inside of your walls.
- The county is beginning to work with a new technology that allows them to view your property at many angles. This allows the county to see if you have made exterior modifications without reporting it to the county, ensuring that you have not added a feature like a garage/ deck that you are not paying taxes on.
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Major Changes Coming To VA Contracts In 2012!
November 29th, 2011 Categories: Local Issues
One of the most valuable comforts given to purchasers in Virginia Real Estate contracts is that all items pertaining to heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing, and existing appliances are required to be in “proper working order” as of the day of settlement. This removes the hassle of negotiation after a home inspection pertaining to these systems.
Changes Coming In 2012!
Beginning on January 1, 2012 all homes will be sold in as-is condition! THIS DOES NOT remove the purchasers ability to have a home inspection on the property OR request that items are repaired. This change simply makes every system and item a matter of negotiation.
Keep In Mind.
As a purchaser, you can still walk away from home if the inspection is not to your satisfaction or if you and the seller cannot come to agreement (unless you remove this option in the contract).
*This change will not affect new home sales contracts.
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Route 50 Is Getting Widened
October 5th, 2011 Categories: Dulles South, Local Issues
If you live or commute through the Dulles South area which mainly consist of Route 50 west, you know that traffic can be terrible at certain times of day. With the additional communities being built in Chantilly, Aldie, and the future hospital, is vital that route 50 is widened. My friend over at Gateway To Loudoun made me aware that the construction on this widening would actually begin today and be completed in 3 years.
The project will widen the 4 lanes that begin at route 28 in Fairfax County to 6 lanes all the way to Polland Rd. in Chantilly. It is estimated to cost $100 Million. Who knew asphalt cost so much? Nevertheless, we will all be thankful when it is complete.
I created a google image to show you where the work will take place.
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Is Ashburn, The Broadlands, Or Dulles A City Or Town?
September 6th, 2011 Categories: Ashburn, Dulles Neighborhoods, Local Issues
“Ashburn,” “Potomac Falls,” “The Broadlands,” “Willowsford,” “Brambleton,” “Dulles,” have become synomous with towns or cities in our area. This tends to create confusion among residents and non-residents as the names of areas seem to be created over night.
While I am not a local VA government buff, I have created a small area list to help you understand what type of area they are..
Local Towns
- Herndon, Leesburg, Middleburg, Round Hill, Purcellville,
Census Designated Place
- Ashburn, Chantilly, Sterling, Reston, Great Falls, The Broadlands, Dulles, Potomac Falls, Lansdowne, Willowsford, Brambleton, and the next big community that pops up labeling their address as the community name.
What is a Census Designated Place? Great question. According to (ask.census.gov) a CDP is simply, “a geographic entity that serves as the statistical counterpart of an incorporated place for the purpose of presenting census data for an area with a concentration of population, housing, and commercial structures that is identifiable by name.”
Bunn definition- a place that has enough people living there (there is no technical limit) and is not under the government of an incorporated area like a town or city. Therefore, the area has the right to title their selves for the purpose of Census Bureo data collection.
THEREFORE, until an area like Ashburn is incorporated (which I hope never happens), there will always be communities that seek to label their area as if it were a town.
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Killing Stink Bugs In Northern VA
January 17th, 2011 Categories: Local Issues
We have all become professionals at killing stink bugs in northern VA lately. Specialists say that we are just scratching the surface of the issue and we should prepare for a lot more of the flying stink bombs over the next few years. While stink bugs present no real harm to humans or pets, they have been detrimental to crops and they are magical in their ability to show up in your home.
The bad news is that there is currently no great way to wipe out these bugs. Scientists are tampering with bringing in their Asian predators which is a species of a wasp. There is no predator for the stink bug in the states besides the toilet bowl. This research could take years as inserting a new species in to a eco-system could be dangerous.
The most popular home remedy developing to kill the stink bug is to get the bug in a jar or bottle of soapy water and shake it up. The worst thing to do is to squash the bug as it releases its scent, which some believe attracts more stink bugs. Other tips include simply making sure that your exterior windows are caulked and shutting off any other small entrance to your home. You can hire an exterminator to spray your home but the pesticide is at best temporal….
Share with us some ways that you have discovered to kill the stink bug..
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