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

Which Do You Prefer? An Home Owners Association or No Home Owners Association?

Living in Lake Ridge Virginia, has so many benefits we all take for granted. Gorgeous well kept grounds, five outdoor pools for summer fun, community schools and shopping. It's well planned from beginning to end and it's a great mixed or Single Family Homes, Townhomes and Condo's. But....oh some say..." all those HOA Rules!" Well, I've lived in Lake Ridge for over 25 years, and  I truly believe that having the Lake Ridge Parks & Recreation  Association  helps sustain Real Estate Values for all of us. Here's why:

Recently a frustrated owner who lived in Dale City, called they had been on the market for several months with two different Realtors. However the home they were trying to sell, had no traffic and no offers. They called us because they had seen we had previously sold homes that were on the market less time than thiers. They stated on the phone the home had a few issues. I said "not to worry, I've never backed away from a good challenge."

We set the appointment and the next day I arrived to see this as I approached the house. "Oh My!"

I thought to myself, I'm good and I can handle objections but goodness... two boats?

Well, I met with the sellers and the home was delightful, well cared and showed great. However it was priced the same as many of the homes in similar size.  That's when  I had to reach into my tool box and take out my velvet sledge hammer. I showed  them what has SOLD in the past six months and the inventory that is currently Active waiting to be sold.  Doing the same thing over and over is the definition of crazy!

Sellers, please don't fall for this listing trick. That's called BUYING A LISTING! That's right that when a agent will just LIST your home for sale knowing full well that overtime after total frustration set in you will lower your price. The bad news is your home becomes dated on the market. I don't work that way. If you would like to know how I work and why our listing  sell faster Check Me Out.

Now, whenever a homeowner is faced with a situation like this and is powerless because the neighbor is not breaking any laws in Prince William County then you have two options. Decided not to sell, or take drastic action. My advice was to lower the price  and generate a buzz. Within a week and half of listing the home the owner called and said "I've had more traffic in one week that I did in six months...Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!"   With some coaching from me and Customized Media Blitz Marketing Plan, we got the home SOLD in 25 DAYS! 

The moral of the story:

Sellers don't always have control in such situations and a situation like this can cause great stress and needs a professionals guidance and help. The longer the selling time the lower your price goes in today's market. Marketing is key to a successful result.

It is my opinion that having an HOA like Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation helps maintain community home values in good and not so good markets. 

For example, just the other day, there was a huge boat on Marquis Place near the elementary school entrance and the HOA has a Zero Tolerance Policy for boat parking. It was gone the next day.

However I know there are some folks who just prefer a none homeowner association community. If you are a Buyer searching for a none Home Owners Association type community and you believe you should be able to do whatever you wish to your home... there are some tremedous homes waiting for you in Dale City, take a look at the current Dale City Detached Home inventory and call me if you need a Buyer Agent to help you neogtiate for you. Let me know what you're looking for. If you would like to see the current homes for sale in Lake Ridge and surrounding area such as Old Bridge Estates, Lynnwood, Ried's Prospect, Park Center, Tackett's Mill then just follow this link.

Seller's check out what you home is worth right now  it's Instant and it's Free. Click Here

 When You Need To Sell Your Home

 Call Erick and Company We Give You Results You Can Count On

I look forward to helping you. Call me on my direct line 703-851-3085

 Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James  of Erick And Company/Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 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, Cannon Bluff, Meadowbrook Woods, Blooms Crossing, Manassas Park, Beaver Creek, Hunter's Ridge, Brittany,  Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Nokesville, or anywhere in Prince William County.