Lake Ridge Virginia Real Estate Help For Sellers and Buyers: December 2008

Do you hire your Realtor based on commission?

Interesting....

In today's real estate it is far more technical than placing your listing in the MLS, placing a sign in the yard and praying for a buyer to come. St. Joseph Statues have sold out everywhere and homes still sit. Many homes today that go on the market Expire with no offers.

Today's real estate demands a strong online presence! Your home must be easy to find when a buyer does an online search? Not just on one site, it should be on dozens of sites.

When your first thought is "commission" when beginning to start your Realtor search - You are already starting out at the bottom of the list.

Think of it this way.  Most Top Producing Realtors would never consider discounting their commission. My position is this, if the Realtor you hire cannot protect their own commission, the income that puts gas in the car, food on the table, how the heck are they going to protect your equity?

If they fold like cheap lawn furniture in negotiations, will they be able to negotiate on your behalf? 

"I highly doubt it!"

As a Technology Realtor my valuable time along with the rest of our team is spent marketing your property online. Over 80% of buyers find their home on the Internet. Most Realtors do not know the meaning and value of a Blog, Tag, Meta tag,video tours,viral marketing, Search engines, and National online real estate marketing.   In many conversations lately at holiday gathering, so many Realtors  have said "oh, blogging takes to long, I can barely handle email, how do you make those great flyers and do all that marketing?  I just can't find the time. I see your name and your posts everywhere and it's beginning to make me mad. Humm.....again interesting. I learned long ago to stay ahead of the crowd, always be out in front with the new idea's and market the heck out of my clients homes.

           Ask yourself a simple question: 

Do You Want To List Your Home For Sale or Do You Want To Sell Your Home?  

There is a difference. If you just want to LIST your home for sale, there are hundreds of Realtors who will do that for you. However if you want to SELL your home, give Erick and Company a call.  Still not sure....do an online Google search for Erick Blackwelder, Peggy James, Erick and Company, Erick Sells Homes, Woodbridge Top Producing Realtor. Go ahead and give it a try.This will present just the tip of the marketing efforts we have created to sell Lake Ridge and surrounding area homes.

Contact Me Today  

Contact Erick Blackwelderor Peggy James of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge  VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252(Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's

 Google Peggy James Lake Ridge Va or Erick and Company

Single Family Homes All Priced Under $400,000

It's truly amazing the values that are in the market place today for the buyer who is searching for a nice single family home. If you are looking for homes with four bedrooms, two or more baths, high ceilings, spacious rooms, convenient to I-95 and that are relatively new then don't overlook what Eastern Prince William County has to offer.

Communities in the Woodbrige Virginia area such as Lake Ridge, Montclair, County Center, Cramers Ridge, Garrison Woods, River Oaks, Eagles Pointe,Newport, Winding Creek, Ashland Southbridge, Princeton Woods  all have amazing homes in your price range. If you are not familiar with the area, keep in mind we are. We've been helping home buyers in this part of Prince William County for decades. We are considered master negotiators and even better we have a system where we can customize an MLS Search to meet your needs and wants.

Our staff can actually set up your search criteria for the home that best fits you needs, wants and desires. It's the fastest way for you to find your new home. We call it our Email Alert System. We enter your personal search criteria into our MLS Database and then as soon as ANY Realtor enters a new listing into the MLS Database that matches your criteria the system notifies you immediately! It's that simple. Sign up for your property alerts here (top right corner-) Email Alert System

Take A look at some of the homes our firm has listed below...this is just a sampling of the homes available under $400,000 in Eastern Prince William County.

Check out this weeks Foreclosure Lists  -CLICK HERE

Information provided to you by
Erick and Company
of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA 22192
http://www.Erickandcompany.com

 Office # 703-590-2252

Do you need some help finding a home? Don't be shy...call us...it would be our pleasure to assist you.

Goggle Peggy James or Erick and Company

                                          Helpful Tips For Selling Your Home...

Last weekend  I was working with prospective buyers who are looking for a moveup home in the Lake Ridge Virginia area. We had several homes to see, some in Lake Ridge and some in neighboring Woodbridge, Virginia subdivision's. However there was one that was Just Listed . It appeared to have everything they were looking for (or so the listing said) it had great street appeal, all the right features and the price was well within the range they were pre-approved for. They were jazzed when we left the office to begin our house hunt.

So I went to the newest listing first, the one they were so excited about.From the moment I pulled up to the house, they loved it. This is what I hear; "Ah...this is perfect", "I love the yard"," oh..."look at the nice entry way", and "it's so close to everything...wow!" I thought to myself...how awesome is this.. I knew the floorplan well and it was exactly what they were looking for. So I said with a smile...let's go inside.From that moment on, things went downhill.

"Sellers...please...please...please keep in mind you are Selling Your Home! Now is the time to pull out all the stops make it sparkle...make it shine ...entice all of the senses."

In this case..the home assaulted all the senses of the buyer.
  

1. The home had huge open spaces and high ceilings... however it was cluttered to the hilt with to much furniture and so many pictures on the walls.(all my clients saw was all the nail holes they would have to patch!)
     
2. Then into the kitchen the beautiful granite counters beckoned the client to touch them. Ick!!! They were tacky and sticky and gritty. What a turn off! That promoted the buyer to inspect the stove, the range vents for further evidence of ick!
     
3. The home had floor to ceiling windows...however I will bet you they have never been cleaned in 15 years! You could barely see through them and there were pet nose prints on all the lower ones. (Ick!)
     
4. There was a big bird cage in the corner and feathers and seeds were scattered beneath the cage (Ick!)
     
5. As we entered the dining room the dust was so thick on all of the furniture. (Ick!)
     
6. The basement was a closed one...mostly finished however there was a musty smell on that level...and everything was covered in thick dust. (clean it..freshen it up) Ick!
   

Here's how the prospective buyers processed the information attacking their senses.
  

• Wow...I wonder if I could keep such a big house clean?
    
• Do the windows open or are they stuck shut, why didn't the agent make them clean this place up?
    
• Gosh...how much is involved in keeping up with  granite counters .  Do I need the hassle? 
    
• Should we consider replacing all the appliances? What about the pet stained  carpet, I have small children!
    
• How do we know if everything works?
    
• Peggy...do all houses on the market here look like this?
  

Sellers just imagine what would have happened if that buyer had walked into that home with all the heightened senses they experienced as they approached. If they had walked into a lovely, clean, well cared for home,  it would have been love at first sight. Instead they could not overcome the filth, the dust, the smells. This perfect home is no longer on the Radar Screen.

In fact that MLS Printout has been 86'd in the trash!

Selling your home is a Team Effort!  When I list a home for sale, I help identify area's that will turn off a buyer. Sometimes these things are hard to hear...but if you want to sell your home...now is not the time to take things personally! Let me help you. That's my job, that's what Realtor's do. Do you really want to have people coming in day after day, with no offers? When you list your home with a Realtor, keep in mind it's a Listing Agents job to market your home, drive traffic to your front door, interpret market conditions and to help you position yourself best in the marketplace and make recommendations according to the feedback received from Buyers Agents and Prospective Buyers. Now...it's up to you the( Seller )homeowner to adjust the price based on the market conditions, to adjust the terms as needed to facilitate an offer and last but not least the condition of your home is totally 100% your responsibility.  

Sellers remember a first impression is all you have have in such a competitive market. For more tips on how to get your home to sell in 2009  visit our website. I primarily work with sellers in the Lake Ridge Virginia area, it's rare that I work with buyers. So,if you want to Sell Your Home Fast..For Top $ and With The Least Amount Of Stress...Learn What Makes Me Different from other Realtors you've met. CLICK HERE

        "When It's Time To Sell...I Will Help You And Coach You On How To Best Present Your Home"

                                                         Ask Me A Question

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty,14029 Crossing Way, Woodbridge VA 22192.VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252(Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's  

Goggle Peggy James or Erick and Company Woodbrige VA
  

When choosing a Realtor to sell your home in Prince William County you have so many Realtors to choose from. You have your past Realtor, your neighborhood Realtor, the Realtor who is a friend of your mom's, your friend or your sisters, you have the Realtor who at the same church or the Realtor who works along side of you everyday at work who fits it in when they can.

A few things to concern yourself with when choosing a Realtor to sell your home:

• Has the Realtor ever sold a home in a Buyers Market?
• What kind of Advertising Does That Realtor Do?
• What kind of Marketing Plan Do They Have To Get Your Home SOLD?
• Do They Have A Successful Track Record?
• How Many Listings Have They Taken That Expired Unsold? Why?
• What Do They Expect Out Of You The Seller During The Process?
• Then Ask What Plan They Have In Mind To Get Your Home SOLD?

In a fast paced Seller's Market anyone can sell a home.You can even sell it successfully For Sale By Owner as well. You may even be able to save thousands by only paying the Realtor who finds the buyer. However in a true Buyers Market you need someone who has the skill, tenacity and the ability to market your home and make it stand out above the rest. Visibility on line is key to your success in today's challenging real estate market. Your Realtors job is to make sure traffic comes to your door! Not necessarily to find the buyer....the Realtors job is to get the buyer to cross your threshold, fall in love and make an offer. The listing agent (the one you hire) is your advocate...the person who is going to fight tooth and nail to get you the best price and terms that meet your needs.

So many sellers get hung up on the miss information that the Listing Agent ( the Realtor you hire) is suppose to list and show the home. That's just not how it works. If the Realtor you hire is only in it for themselves and they want the full 6% for themselves, how effectively do you think they are going to market your home?  They may offer to do Open Houses which you think is a great idea. Did you know it costs virtually nothing to do an Open House? However the rewards for the Realtor are extremely fruitful. Did you know that every Buyer who visits your Open House is a potential New Client for your Realtor? Think about that...there are Realtors who just want to collect listings so they can get lots of calls from Buyers. I would like that too, however, I have learned over my 18 year career as a Realtor, what's more important for me,the part that makes me feel like I've done a great job, is when I can call my homeowner in a very short period of time and say " do you have some time....we have received and offer and I'd like to review it with you!".That's is my personal reward. I feel a great sense of pride when my skills and expertise can help produce a willing and able buyer who writes an offer on your home.

Here at Erick and Company we have never been Listing Collectors. It is our belief that a Listing Agents main job is to help you price your home correctly, to coach you on how to best present your home to the market and then to create and launch a media blitz out to the public and keep the marketing content fresh and in front of the public constantly until the home is Under Contract. That's why most of the homes we List, sell within 60 days regardless of Market Conditions. We give your home all the attention it deserves! Our goal is your goal!

The key question to ask yourself when you are thinking of selling in 2009 is; Do I want to sell my home or do I want to List My Home For Sale. There is a huge difference!  Learn how I work...CLICK HERE.

         Erick and Companyof Exit 1st Choice Realty. 14029 Crossing Way, Woodbridge, VA 22192 

      Would You Be Interested In Hearing The Good Stories About Real Estate For A Change?

"Sometimes it makes me crazy hearing all the miss information out there." Let me show you what people just like you are missing out on. I personally feel many  home buyers and sellers are sitting on the sidelines crunching numbers and listening to all  taking heads and waiting for the green light . Waiting for an indication that the market has hit bottom.  Well in the words of Erick Blackwelder my brother-in-law. "Folks that ship has sailed!"

If your still doing that, thinking the market is going to get worse before it gets better...you may be in for a shock!"

If you are reading this, it's because you're searching for information, your on a fact finding mission and want someone to just tell your the truth.  The truth is the market is changing and fast. Take a look at the stats and trends data Trulia. The data shows you the  consumer the number of homes available county wide have gone down and the number of homes under contract has increased significantly. Check it our right now then come back to this post to see the successful purchases we are helping buyers get. Click here to see the  Trulia.com stats for Prince William County. This information comes from closed transactions as well as the MLS Data base.

Folks...it's time to ready yourself and  get pre-approved so that when  you find your dream home, you will be ready to make a serious offer.The most frustrating things for a  buyer today, is doing everything wrong and expecting a positive result. Recently I wrote a post on The Wrong Way To Buy A Foreclosure   Read it! It will save you a lot of aggravation and frustration.

Erick Blackwelderand I work as a team of Realtors here in Woodbridge Virginia.  We've been assisting Buyers and Sellers in the Prince William County area for decades.  I thought it might help if I showed you a  few of the amazing homes that we have helped buyers find in the past six months. Take a look...and if  and if some of these homes surprise you....then it's time to call us. We can help you find your Dream Home! Are you ready....? Call 703-590-2252.

Notice the home above has a three car garage, this one was off Linton Hall Rd In Gainesville!!!

Now take a look at a few of the townhomes we helped Buyers Negotiate

The townhome above is in the heart of Lake Ridge, Virginia. Walk to pool, park, shopping and schools!

The townhome above was in Wellington In Manassas Virginia

 The townhome above was a Garage Townhome!!! The photo is of the lower level!

Here are some samples of some of the Dream Homes we're been able to help our clients get this year. If you're relocating to Prince William County or you're thinking of buying a move-up home, just know we can help you get the most for your money. Most of the homes we helped clients get in the past six months have been stunning!

Tell me what you're looking for...our team will help you find it. Or you can sign up for email alerts.  Our staff can customize your search criteria so  that was you will never miss the home your looking for.  The list comes to you...not us. When you see a home that you want more information about...pick up the phone and we'll get to work on finding everything we can about that home! It's that easy.

This  home above made us all CRAZY. It's nicer than our $700,000 homes! If we can't buy them, we're thrilled to help you get one. Are you ready??? Call us 703-590-2252

This market also has it's fair share of homes that have had broken pipes, or need drywall repair. If you are the kind of person who sees these hurdles as details and small challenges.. you can CLEAN UP in this market. These homes typically must be financed with 20% down if you are an investor. However if you are a contractor, your handy there are Fixer Upper Loans called FHA  203B that can help you secure your dream home. If they live able but just need TLC then conventional financing will work fine.

The End Townhome below had many challenges, all cosmetic in nature.The home inspector estimated it needed about $8000 worth of work to make it a showplace again. The home was listed at $161,000 a Stupid Low Price given all the other townhomes around it were being offered between $10,000 and $15,000 higher in price. I helped my  client position herself to win the bid. It worked! She was nervous and afraid she was paying to much. She didn't... even though she had to bid high....she got her dream home and it appraised for more than the Contracted Price! 

Finding you new home can be fun and stress free if you can  TRUST in the knowledge and expertise, and the statistic's a Realtor can provide you. Buying a home no matter what the market conditions is a team effort. If you  want the house...trust in the process, trust in us your neighborhood Realtors. We service Woodbridge, Occoquan, Lake Ridge, Dumfries, Triangle, Gainesville and Manassas and Manassass Park area's. 

Are you ready to get started?   It will be our pleasure to help you.               

Call us right now 703-590-2252.

 No Matter Whether Your Moving Across Town or Across The Country

"Relax We'll Treat You Like Family!"
  

703-590-2252

Contact Peggy Jamesor Erick Blackwelder of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty,14029 Crossing Way, Woodbridge VA 22192.VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085(Peggy) or 703-590-2252(Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's

CLICK ON THE FORECLOSURE BANNER BELOW TO GET YOUR FREE  LIST OF LOCAL FORECLOSURES!

Buying a Bank Owned Home is not hard and you don't need a truck load of money. What you do need is an experienced Realtor who can help you. I've lived in this area for decades, and know the area well. I can help you sort out the good buys from the not so good buys, my goal is to make the process easy and fun.

However, if you  decide to start looking for Foreclosures and Bank Owned Homes on your own and you want to wait  until you find the home you like....be prepared for a very Stressful few months!  Why? Well let's assume you do the following.....      

1. Seach the internet until you find a home you like and then...                                                                                              
2. drive bye, walk around the home
3. you call the number on the sign and wait for a return call ( days can go by...the listing agent neve calls you back)
4. you call and make a verbal offer on the voice mail ( all offers must be in writing!)
5. you peer in the windows, like what you see, fall in love
6. lay awake wondering if you really can afford it
7. decide to write an offer
8. sit with an agent and your write an offer without regard to what others have sold for in the area
9. you rush around trying to find a lender who can meet with you fast to find out what is the best way for you to buy the home  before the Realtor can submit the offer. Can you qualify for an FHA LOAN, a VHDA/Plus 1% Down Loan, A Conventional Loan, a VA Loan?
10. the agent has to wait for the lender pre-approval letter
11. it's now Friday and the Banks won't reivew your offer until Monday..frustration builds!
12. assume you're the only buyer who likes that Price and Everyone Will Low Ball-BIG MISTAKE!
13. get upset when you hear you are one of 5 or 6 offers on that property - and your offer is to low!   
14. make an offer on a Short Sale home if you have a timeline....

   All of those items whipped in a bowl is a recipe for Major Stress!   

Buying a Foreclosed home can be so much easier than that.  

Erick and I can coach you on all your  options, and we can write an offer that will address all the terms you need to get the perfect house. We are strong negotiators and can help find a home with far less stress than the horror stories you've heard of. So if you're looking to buy a Bank Owned/REO property in the Woodbridge Virginia or surrounding area's please give us a call today. Get your List Today CLICK HERE. We strive to make your house hunt fun, informative, and stress free. If you need help, please don't hesitiate to give us a call.

The # 1 Item on the Do List is call Erick and Company today.

 703-590-2252

This week, I've been working with a client who lives in Washington DC and has decided that  he wanted to relocate the Prince William County Virginia Area. The Lake Ridge  VA area, seemed to be the nicest and closest affordable area near I-95. He hadn't been to this part of the Northern Virginia area before so he needed a good overview to be sure he was making the right decision. In his case since he lived in Washington DC ,he was accustom to walking many places, the walk factor  for his new home was very important to him. 

Walk Factor: a home that was close to community schools, shopping centers, commuter options, the car repair shop  and fast foods. ( he's a guy!)  

Like most buyers he had some sense of the area, by searching the Internet for clues, and schools, and home prices.  He had a good idea of what he want,needed and desired.  Then the next step was to find someone who knew the area well, who could  help him find what he was looking for. The challenge was he had previously been working with a Realtor who lived several counties away. The house hunting experience did not  go well and that resulted in a severed relationship. The person did not know the area, the traffic patterns or the neighborhoods. All they went on was price. So my client went Online specifically looking for a Lake Ridge Virginia, Top Producing Realtor.  When he called,  I shared with  him, I've been living in the Lake Ridge Virginia area for 25 years and I've been a Realtor here for 18 of those 25 years. My name is Peggy James, and I work with Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty.

Right from the beginning he was very open about what he wanted.  I love that in a client! It makes it so much easier for me to help. We started working immediately to find  him, his new home.The challenge is and always has been for anyone relocating to any area, to match up what you've seen online,to how you really want to live. I personally find that, to be the most interesting part about being a Realtor. Ninety percent of being a good Realtor is being a good listener. Be able to decipher and guide people systematically to the home that will match up with the one that is in their  journal, their mind, their dreams! 

It's the age old comparison-does your Apple match up to our Oranges? A well planned house hunt and an open dialog will help you figure all of  that out. Look for a Realtor who has lived in an area where you plan to relocate, make sure they know the area well, and they are willing to take the time to help you find your new home. 

My personal take on this is: "Finding a home  in a new town is like planning the trip  to the Grand Canyon. I'm not kidding! " Have you ever tried to plan a vacation to the Grand Canyon? LOL...it's exhausting! I've been doing that Online  myself and let me tell you it can be overwhelming.  There are  so many websites to choose from, so many choices, so many people who claim they can help you. After awhile, looking at hotel after hotel and website after website, all I want to do is SHUT OFF THE COMPUTER! Urrrgh....

What I  really want is a real person, who knows the area well to show me around.  Someone who will treat me like a family member in from out of town, I want them to help me save money, and to help me get to where I want to go in the shortest amount of time for the least amount of money." Is that to much to ask?"  

That's all that my relocating buyer wanted. He commented on how different the house hunt experience was with Erick and Company compared to his previous attempt. He loved the email alerts we sent him daily in his price range, he loved  how organized and how helpful all of us were. He really appreciated learning all the shortcuts around town that only the locals know! Guess what...he's thrilled. He found his home and soon will be a new Lake Ridge resident.

                         No Matter Whether Your Moving Across Town or Across The Country

                                                               "Relax You Will Be Treated Like Family!"
  

                                                                  703-590-2252

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty,14029 Crossing Way, Woodbridge VA 22192.VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085(Peggy) or 703-590-2252(Office) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville area's
  

Did you know that there are standards of what the average life expectancy is for the components that make up our homes? Well there are. The report is  called the NAHB Study. And is published by the National Association Of Home Builders.

I have compiled a list of the ones that really stand out when it comes to the Buying and Selling of Real Estate. I'm the Listing Specialist for Erick and Company and when I go to look at someones home, I always bring my trusty Listing Book. This is where I keep all these interesting articles and tid bits of information I've gathered over my career to review with homeowners. Here are some of the little ones that can be easily changed. Think of  Lighting Fixtures, Switchplates, Flooring Vents, Door Handles and Hidges and Kitchen Knobs as accessories for a home.

Lighting Controls 10 yrs, Appliances 9 yrs, exhaust fans 10 yrs,Wood Floors ( a lifetime!) Hot Water Heaters (10 yrs), Carpet (10  yrs) Faucets and Light Fixtures(15 yrs), Toilets (10 yrs!)

But keep in mind trends change and so you must make wise choices, it will help you when you go to sell later on.

Why is that?

Simple...it depends on market conditions. For example right now we are in the depths of a Buyers Market. In today's real estate climate, the more up to date, the more neutral, the better the livability , and the better the price, the  faster  your home will sell. So, how do you know what changes to make and when. I recently wrote another post about what improvements will give you the most return on your money. If you are thinking of doing a big improvement you may want to read Homeowners Do The Research. 

My suggestion is always call a local  Top Producing Realtor for a reality check. I'm Peggy James of Erick and Company and no matter what the market conditions are we will be able to assist you every step of the way. We've been helping buyers and sellers in the Woodbridge Virginia area for decades. We can share with you what the trends are, what homes in and around your neighborhood look like inside and what the market value would be with updates and without. Remember it's better to do it right the first time than to do it all over again when it's time to sell.

What do I mean by that? Well let's take my home for example. When we moved in, Bill said paint it whatever color you want.  I'm not afraid of color. So my home has lots of color. (it's just paint!) Will I have to change it when we sell...more than likely and I'm ok with that. We will have enjoyed it for years. However when it comes to expensive remodels and choices of fixtures such as cabinets, and hard surfaces..it's best to get a few professional opinions and not that of just the contractor. Making outrageous impulsive decissions can be costly. 

                                         Here is the complete study.from the NAHB.

Call Erick and Company at 703-851-3085

Got a question? Just type out a comment I'll be right with you.....

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelderof Erick and Companyd like and they can share with you, what's a good improvement and what's a waist. In fact I recently wrote a post on that exact subject. Do Your Homework. If you are going to live in your home for a long time, make any improvement you want as long as you can live with the fact you may have to change it later.