Lake Ridge Virginia Real Estate Help For Sellers and Buyers: January 2010

Homes In Prince William County are now selling at a record pace. As more and more buyers enter the real estate market trying to benefit from the $8000 Home Buyer Credit before it expires on June 30, 2009, we are seeing a phenomenon that we have not seen in years.

Homes are selling at a record pace and most homes are getting multiple offers.

They only issue is, many home buyers are growing more and more tired of waiting game .Waiting for lenders to approve short sales for distressed homeowners, waiting for REO Companies to send paperwork, and buying homes "As Is" in less than good condition.

Home-buyers search online, find a house, go look, write an offer only to learn that they may not have an answer from the banks for weeks even months! Urrrgh!!!

Folks.... Home Buyers want a sure thing!

The other day I ran into an past client of mine. She said, they were thinking of buying a larger home. She seemed shocked when I stated that the market is very good right now and I could certainly sit down and discuss all her options. She said " do you mean it is possible for us to buy something larger and coordinate it so I don't have to do a temporary move somewhere. My answer was "Sure!" She was delighted and we set up an appointment to discuss all her questions.

I am finding many homeowners who are very surprised to learn that homes are selling quickly and that there is a very good potential for getting more than one offer to choose from. The last two homeowners I've met with over the weekend were just blown away at the possibilities that lie ahead! This is the part of being a Realtor that I really like. Helping people make lifestyle changes and coaching them on all their real estate options. That's my job! Need help?

What have you been dreaming of?

• A larger master bath
• A sun room
• A single family home with a garage
• An in ground pool
• It's time to move to another state
• It's time to retire
• Another baby is on the way...
• Move-up homes are not moving as fast and are priced rediculously low!

Just take a look at a few of the Stupid Low Priced Luxury Homes Available

1. Luxury Move-up Homes Available In Woodbridge VA Area Now
2. Luxury Move-up Homes Available In Manassas Area Right Now

You have the power to get your family top $ and to offer a quick decision to buyers.

Erick and Company has a systematic marketing system that will produce many offers for your review. This is a just a sample of how we market your home on the internet. The key to your success is to have Erick and Company help you design a plan that works for your family, deciding where you want to move next, timing and negotiating the best offer the market will bare.

Your sitting on golden opportunity to position yourself in front of the pent up demand of buyers we are currently seeing in the marketplace.

 Is it time for a change? Only you know for sure...

• What is it about your current home that you would like to change?
• Is there something specific that your searching for? 
• Have you been dreaming of a Main Level Master Bedroom, an In-ground Pool, a three car garage?
• Give us a call, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you hear
• Just click here and tell us about your home and we'll crunch the numbers...

Have Questions?

          Call Peggy James today at 703-851-3085 

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  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 

So you might be wondering what is The Power Of Active Rain? Well The Power Of Active Rain is a way for Realtors, Loan Officers, Home Inspectors, Appraisers and even people in high places to connect and share information with consumers and other professionals. We can connect with folks as often as we like. Why is all this so important? Because Active Rain has the power to help us rise above the competition, and connect with consumers on a more personal level that just a stuffy, canned, traditional website platform.

What I love most about Active Rain is how fast a post I write with rich local key words winds up on the first page of an organic Google search. Blogging on Active Rain has the power to attract people from your local community to across the globe.

Here is an example: A gentleman contacted me after reading my blog here on Active Rain. He called and said. Peggy, I would like you to help me buy a home, the only challenge is I'm stationed in Iraq until spring. Can you help me?

 Read what happened next .

Update:I just did his pre-drywall inspection the other day. His new home will be ready by mid March!

That is proof right there The Power Of Active Rain.I write about local real estate blog for consumers pertaining to what is happening in and around the Woodbridge Virginia area. Yet, The Power Of Active Rain reached someone across the globe!

That would have never happened with a local newspaper ad, a flyer or a post card! I recieve calls like this weekly,sometimes daily! It wasn't until I embraced The Power Of Active Rain,that things reallt started happening in my world.Business is great!

Let me share with you a local story.

I received a call from a local homeowner on December 2,2009. When I inquired how did she heard about me she said " I went to Google and searched sell my home Lake Ridge VAand I saw a few of the big companies such as We Buy Ugly Houses and Stagger Sites, next was LakeRidgeVARealEstateNews." I clicked on the link. That's when I found you. I found myself reading each post and then clicking on a video and saw photo's and recipes and information about a new restaurant that just opened down the street. Heck, I didn't even know about that, I was surprised. Peggy, I continued to do some research and looked at other Real Estate company sites, however what ultimately made me call you. You offered so much information and helpful tips on your site. I feel like I know you already! I feel confident you can help me sell my home. Can we meet?

Let me take a moment and break that down for you: When  I type into Google - Sell My Home in Lake Ridge VA,this is how many results there are Results 1 - 10 of about 99,100 for sell my home lake ridge va. (results shown below) 

NOTE: the results are just as dramatic in Yahoo, and Bing! The Power Of Active Rain is simply priceless. ( try it!!!)

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The top site highlighted in pink are the Paid Advertising Spots. 

1. We Buy Ugly Houses® www.WeBuyUglyHouses.com   Sell Today in a Buyers Market with The Original Home Buying Company!

2. Sell Your Homein 9 Days Fast Home Offer.com/Sell-Home-Fast  Get an Offer in Hours. Any Area, Condition & Price Range- Visit Now! 

3. Sell My Home www.HomeStagedDesigns.com  Model-Like Homes Sell Faster. Home Staging for Vacant or Occupied

Search Results- This is the results just below that.  To get these results you only need to  BLOG on ACTIVE RAIN!

1. Lake Ridge VA Real Estate News Lake Ridge VA Real Estate News: Today's Inquiry " Can You Tell Me If My House Has ..... They could sell home for sure, it was in very good condition and ...
   lakeridgevarealestatenews.com/ - Cached - Similar

2. Lake Ridge VA Real Estate News Peggy James- "Your Neighborhood Realtor" Serving Lake Ridge VAand Woodbridge VA. Exit 1st Choice Realty .... I wonder if I can sell my current home? ...
   lakeridgevarealestatenews.com/.../home.../buying_a_new_home - Cached Show more results from lakeridgevarealestatenews.com

3. Peggy James- "Your Neighborhood Realtor" Serving Lake Ridge VA and ...it's time to buy or sellin the Woodbridge,Lake Ridge Virginia area, you have many ... Thank for all your help with buying my home. I'd be lost without you! ...
   activerain.com/peggyjames - Cached - Similar

4. Local business results for sell my home near Lake Ridge, VA

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Here is the result of that call.  I met the homeowner three days later. She hired me to list, market and sell her home for top $. I listed the home for $239,900 and wrote a post in Active Rain and we received multiple offers all over $250,000! 

A year and a half ago before I embraced The Power Of Active Rain. Before that  I would have never received the opportunity to really help this Lake Ridge, Virginia homeowner who needed to sell. I was lost in a see of Realtors using traditional outdate methods. My point is, The Power Of Active Rain has allowed me to have a voice and a presence in my local real estate market,to share with consumers that when you hire Peggy James of Erick and Company, myself as well as my partner Erick Blackwelder we be there to help you get the RESULTS your desire.

Lake Ridge, Virginia is a small planned urban development twenty miles South of Washington DC. There are thousands of Realtors who service this area located between Quantico Marine Base and Ft. Belvior Army Post. It is known as a bedroom community for those traveling into the Pentagon, the Navy Base and Ft Meyers as well as commuting into DC daily,.That said, not many  Realtors here have embraced The Power Of Active Rain. Many still use traditional website advertising and print ads. Only those Realtors who are  on the cutting edge of technology who understand The Power Of Active Rain, Twitter, Truila, Facebook, Linkedin  and other social networking sites are surviving the current real estate market, we aren't just surviving we are thriving. It is no wonder over 172,000 professionals have joined Active Rain!

Realtors like Lisa Udy Of Logan Utah come to mind. Lisa is an Ambassador for Active Rain and she helps spread the word to small town Realtors like  Grace Idaho Real Estate Agents. This is a real estate company called Idaho/Utah High Country Real Estate located in Soda Springs, Id. I bet you've never heard of it. Neither have I, but that is exactly The Power Of Active Rain! It is a very small town. However, no matter how small the town or population many have computers and will search the Internet for informaition. These Realtors have the ability to attract many home buyers who are looking for a change of pace, a new place to call home. No matter it that is from across town or across the globe! That's The Power Of Active Rain .

What agents are learning all across the country is that, with more than 70% of consumers turning to the Internet to find answers to their questions. If you are not utilizing The Power of Active Rain as one of your pillars of your business you are doing a huge disservice for yourself as well as your clients.2010 is going to be an amazing year. I look forward to assisting as many homeowners and home buyers looking for help in the Woodbridge Virginia area.

If you are thinking or Buying or Selling A Home give me a call, I will be delighted to my knowledge to work for you and help you with all your real estate needs. 

Don't hesitate to give me a call 703-851-3085 or contact me by email .

Erick and Company is a local real estate company that services Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket,Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville, Aquia Harbor, Garrisonville and Triangle Virginia area's . No matter whether you are relocating to the area, or transferring out we can help. Contact us for all your real estate questions and needs. Note: if you need help selling your home by short sale don't be shy we have helped many local homeowner get short sale approval from their mortgage company. We are Realtors...we can help.
                                
                              

"48% of the Current Available Resale Inventory in Woodbridge Virginia FOR SALE this week, is owned by  "Regular Owners!" This is the first time we have seen this happen since the days of 2005 and 2006. This is great news for everyone.

So let me repeat that " Right now the Woodbridge Virginia Real Estate Market has more "Regular Owner" homes for sale than Short Sales and Foreclosures! "

What is a Regular Owner Listing: these are homes that are not being sold by short sale, they are not in foreclosure and in most cased they are occupied homes that smell good, look good and where Realtors are once again back to good old fashion real estate. We list a sellers home for sale, buyer agent brings the listing agent an offer, then we go into negotiations, then ratfication, then inspections and then settlement. The process of buying and selling a home in a normal market is between 30 and 45 days from start to finish.

Take a look, here is snapshot of the Woodbridge Virginia real estate market today:

• 227  Homes have gone Under Contract in the past 30 days!
• 16 Homes Have Settled in the past 30 days!
• There are only 279 Active Homes For Sale in Woodbridge today.
  • 48% of those are Regular Owner Resale Homes!
  • 32% of the Homes Currently For Sale are Short Sales
  • 15% of the current inventory are Foreclosed/Bank Owned Homes.

"Ahh...I feel a wonderful sense of calm thinking that the market may be heading back into a normal market soon."

For the past few years the Woodbridge Virginia real estate market had been driven by abandoned foreclosure and sellers needing to sell by Short Sale because they owed more on their home than it was worth.

 All I can say is "it's about time! It has been a long grueling three years for all the homeowners who did not want to compete against foreclosures and short sales. We're not totally out of the woods yet, however we are heading in the right direction.

This is awesome news, not only for sellers but for buyers as well. 

• Sellers will not be competing against as many foreclosed and distress sales.I recently wrote a post about how the Prince William County Virginia real estate market is suffering from a lack of inventory.
• And home buyers in the market right now have a very good chance of finding a home that can settle by Jun3 30th, 2009. Just remember you must be Under Contract by 4/30/2010 in order to secure the Home Buyer Tax Credit.

Are  you curious what homes are available right now in the market place? Well at Erick and Company we break it down on our website to Regular Owner Sales, Approved Short Sales and Foreclosure Opportunities. You pick which list you want, just click on the blue box below.

If you are thinking or Buying or Selling A Home give me a call, I will be delighted to my knowledge to work for you and help you with all your real estate needs. 

Don't hesitate to give me a call 703-851-3085 or contact me by email .

Erick and Company is a local real estate company that services Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket,Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville, Aquia Harbor, Garrisonville and Triangle Virginia area's . No matter whether you are relocating to the area, or transferring out we can help. Contact us for all your real estate questions and needs. Note: if you need help selling your home by short sale don't be shy we have helped many local homeowner get short sale approval from their mortgage company. We are Realtors...we can help.
                                
                              

This morning email inquiry is from a past client who purchased a townhome in Lake Ridge Virginia in 2008. She had two very important questions.

1. Has the value of her townhome gone up any?
2. Since interest rates are lower now, is it possible for her to refinance to a lower rate?

The answer is Yes and Yes!

I love when a good plan comes together!  You see I assisted this young lady buy her first home back in  July of 2008. The home was purchased for $159,900 and it had an unfinished basement at the time. Currently there are several under contract and that have just sold for $180,000 and above. Those in good condition and remodeled ( like my clients) with three finished levels are nearing the $200,000 price range!

So I sent her a Market Snapshot. This is a detailed report of the current market value of her home with photo's and data showing her what the list price was, what the home ultimately sold for and how much closing costs did the seller pay. This report also let's her know, how her home compares to those that have sold most recently.

Realtors call this a CMA ( Comparative Market Anaylsis)

I also sent here information on how she can take advantage of the lower rates using a programed specifically designed for those homeowners who have an FHA Loan. It is called an  FHA Streamline Refinance. This is a program that simply lowers your interest rate. Click on the following line to learn more about the requirements needed to do a FHA Streamline Refiance Program.

My recommendation is to call Markita Aldridge-Woods at Westar Mortgage. She is a local loan officer who can coach you on all of your options with regard to a refinance.

       Have a question about the value of your home ? 

  Call 703-851-3085 or contact me by email if you need assistance.    

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office).If you are a homeowner who has a home to sell, we have  buyers ready and waiting for nice homes to come on the market. Give us a call and we can "GET YOUR HOME SOLD FAST" to list your property for sale we service  Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket,Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville, Aquia Harbor, Garrisonville and Triangle area's . 
                                  
                         

Thanks to my new puppy Wes, I learned first hand that they do.

Ah the joys of having a new puppy!

Little Wes jumped up and snagged my Sony Cyber Shot  camera as it was charging!Yup you guessed...it broke. It's past it's extended warranty and the cost to fix it was cost prohibitive.

Darn the luck...

So I have thought about buying a wide angle camera for sometime now. I decided to buy the  Nikon CoolPix 10.0 Megapixel with a wide angle lens. I paid $199.00 at Best Buy. The only thing I do not like about this camera is the fact it uses rechargeable batteries, other than that it is awesome! So I am looking forward to showcases my sellers home with my new wide angle camera.

Here are a few photo's I had of my personal home on my computer from a year or so ago. I stood in the same place and used the wide angle lens camera. Look at the difference in the photo's. ( not the  furniture, how much of the room and features you can see!)

 Picture taken a few years back.

Look at how much of the room you can see from standing in the same location of the foyer!

Ceilings, corners and wall to wall. 

Here is another awesome example. Both photo's were taken with a flash.

Previous Camera I owned

 This photo was taken with the wide angle lens and a flash.

Look how much brighter the room is and how much of the room you can see.

Actually I believe little Wes, did me a huge favor! I can't wait to use this camera on my next listing appointment. Just know that I am a Realtor who is always striving to showcase my sellers homes the best way possible and always striving to remain ahead of the curve with marketing idea's to bring you top $.

 Erick and Company can sell your home fast. Let's sit down, let's crunch the numbers and see what's possible.  Curious What Your Home Is Worth?  Call me 703-851-3085 or or contact me by email .

Over the weekend I showed homes to a couple who were considering a move-up purchase here in Prince William County Virginia. They were going to rent their current home, so they are ready, willing and able buyers! So I took them out to take a look at the homes that are currently on the market and in their price range.

One of the homes on the list was of particular interest to my buyer client since it appeared to have everything they wanted. The only issue was, it was priced significantly higher than the competition and it has been on the market for months. The first question they had was why? One step inside the door and we learned why: 

• The seller insisted on giving all us a guided tour. Sellers please remember, what is important to you may not be important to the buyer. He was over the top, boasting about all the features of his home. 
• The rooms were dated, dark, and the interior of this twenty year old home still had original fixtures and lighting.My client obviously did not like the house, however non of us wanted to be rude to the homeowner. So we listened as we walked the house with him.
• As we were trying to leave and were making small talk about utilities and the cost of running the home. The seller says, oh we don't concern ourselves with those costs to much, we make sure we are warm and cool in the summer. "We live comfortably, since we do not have a  mortgage."
•        So not only did we not get a good answer regarding the true costs of running the home
•           You can bet if my clients liked the home the offer would be a LOW BALL OFFER!

If you are considering Selling Your Home in 2010, call me, let me help you. The last thing you want to do in this market is leave thousands on the table because you are not positioned well in the market and you sit and sit and then have to deal with all the buyers concerns that something is wrong with the house. Or you say something that will be costly in negotiations.

Learn how we can Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar.

It would be my pleasure to help you pull out as much equity as possible. That's my job!

 Do you need help ?  Call 703-851-3085 or contact me by email if you need assistance.   

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office).If you are a homeowner who has a home to sell, we have  buyers ready and waiting for nice homes to come on the market. Give us a call and we can "GET YOUR HOME SOLD FAST" to list your property for sale we service  Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket,Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville, Aquia Harbor, Garrisonville and Triangle area's . 
                                  
                         

That's right! I just scrubbed the MLS Database to see if there were any Approved Short Sales for one of my clients. I was surprised to see there are actually 37 Approved Short Sales waiting for new owners.

What is an Approved Short Sale?  An approved short sale is exactly what it sounds like.

The list price and terms have already been approved by the homeowners bank. The Listing Agent has the terms in writing and so does the Title Company.

No One Is Going To Make You Jump Through Hoops!

Typically, there is no negotiating on these types of sales. That is because the bank/servicing company has had the home appraised and has submitted the contract that the seller had and then negotiated what they are willing to allow the home to sell for.

Why would you consider buying an Approved Short Sale?

• Quicker Closing
• Set Terms- No Surprises
• You Will Be Able To Collect On The $8000 Tax Credit

Check out this weeks APPROVED SHORT SALES In Prince William County Virginia.

   Click the red box

Do you need help finding a home?  Call 703-851-3085 or contact me by email if you need assistance.  

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office).If you are a homeowner who has a home to sell, we have  buyers ready and waiting for nice homes to come on the market. Give us a call and we can "GET YOUR HOME SOLD FAST" to list your property for sale we service  Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket,Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville, Aquia Harbor, Garrisonville and Triangle area's . 
                                  
                         

Erick and Company Has Pre-approved Home Buyers Waiting For Homes In Lake Ridge Virginia.

I recently wrote a post about this exact subject a few weeks ago. Read more and view stats.

 Check out what is currently available today.. CLICK HERE

Curious What Your Home Is Worth?  Call me 703-851-3085 or or contact me by email .

Erick and Company services Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket,Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville, Aquia Harbor, Garrisonville and Triangle area's . Note: if you need help selling your home by short sale we can help.
                                
                              

It was back in September that I got a call. The caller said " Peggy, I was reading that you help people who might need to sell by short sale in the Woodbridge  VA area.We live in Lake Ridge and  my husband is returning from Iraq . He has accepted a job in another state. Can you sell our home?"

" I asked..."Do you have orders?" 

She said "No he is not active duty. Is there help for veterans? Are there any programs that we fit into to short sell our home? The only job offer he got is in another state. He has to take it, we need the income to survive and pay bills."

Folks I want you to make a mental note. The family did not have any hardship up to this point. However once the wheels of a relocation were put into motion. That meant the caller would loose her good paying job and the townhome they owned in the Lake Ridge Virginia although very nice and in great condition was purchased at the height of the market! This is when everything began to fold like a house of cards.

Now the bad news: several foreclosures had recently settled in and around their home. We could get the home rented quickly however, the fair market rent was $550.00 less than the fixed rate monthly mortgage payment. They did not have that kind of money.They could sell home for sure, it was in very good condition and according to the current market conditions. I felt certain I could get it sold for in the somewhere in the $189,900 price range. However that is far less than what they owed the mortgage company. They owed $287,000!

The sad part is these homeowners did everything right. They bought a home with a fixed rate VA Loan, updated and cared for the home during the time they owned it. Now in today's current real estate climate the house is upside down by almost $100,000.

The only option was a Short Sale.  I showed the owners proof example after example of other homeownersI've help complete a successful short sale. I shared with them that back in the old days back in 1989-2003 in the last downturn in our market, I assisted many homeowners by doing VA Compromise Short Sales. This program has been in existence for a long time. That VA Funding you pay up front when you buy, helps VA offer this program. What is new is the degree of the losses! They are catastrophic. Back then Veterans were forced into signing a Promissory Note and if they didn't do that, they needed to come to the settlement table with a check for the short fall if they had purchased the home before 1989! The  highest check I ever saw was $26,300 written to the settlement attorney to sell the house.

The good news is we  listed the home for sale and soon a buyer made a good solid offer on their home and the Sellers accepted the offer and then I got to work! It took their mortgage company five long months to Approve the VA Compromise Sale, however the sellers nightmare is over!

Best news:

• The owners did not have to sign a Promissory Note!
• The owners did not owe anything on Settlement Day!
• The owners have relocated and they get to start a whole new chapter in life!

There is a down side to considering selling by short sale for a veteran. Seller's please take note:

 Entitlement - Should VA agree to pay the difference between the sales proceeds and

the total debt to complete the compromise sale process, the portion of the

homeowner's entitlement used to guaranty this loan will remain tied up until VA is

reimbursed in full.

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If you have any questions about the VA Compromise Program and how it can help you and your family, please don't hesitate to call me. Here is the basic factors that must be considered for you to be able to submit for VA Compromise Sale/ Short Sale.

• The property must be sold for fair market value.
• The closing costs must be reasonable and customary.
• The compromise sale must be less costly for the Government than foreclosure.
• There must be a financial hardship on the part of the seller.
• On loans that originated on or before December 31, 1989, the seller must be willing to sign a promissory note.
• There must be no second liens or other liens(unless the amount is insignificant). In situations whereby there are second liens or other liens, the seller can request that the lien holder consider releasing the lien and converting the loan to a personal loan.
• The seller must first obtain a sales contract in order to be considered for the program.
• To protect the seller's interest, the seller should make the sales contract contingent and/or subject to the approval of a VA compromise sale.

  If you have a VA Loan on your home and you need to sell, give me a call. I can help!

         Curious What Your Home Is Worth?  Call me 703-851-3085 or or contact me by email .

Erick and Company services Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket,Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville, Aquia Harbor, Garrisonville and Triangle area's . Note: there is a shortage of homes for sale in Prince William County VA. Now is the time to sell.