Lake Ridge Virginia Real Estate Help For Sellers and Buyers

This is a big shout out to Consumer Construction in Woodbridge Virginia, who is helping homeowners remove snow from roofs!  I want to pass this information on to anyone who needs help in the Woodbridge Virginia area. It was truly a welcome surprise to see this email in my email box on Thursday February 11th, 2010. I called them and they were at our home Saturday morning by 11:30 am. Now that's service!

All of us at Consumer Construction hope you and your family have safely survived all this CRAZY weather we have been having the past few weeks.    We are aware that many of our friends, neighbors and customers have experienced damage to their homes and businesses within the path of these weather events.    We would like to remind all that Consumer Construction is ready to assist you with any repairs needed. Please contact us at 703.491.0745.   Sincerely, The Consumer Construction Team www.consumerconstruction.com

Five men arrived in two trucks with all the professional tools for the job. Harnesses for safely, shovels and ice picks. In two hours they had all the heavy snow removed from our home and they even cleared all the entryways for emergency exiting if needed. They did a remarkable job!

I am sure they will be helping many homeowners in the area. Neighbor after neighbor came over to get the phone number to call and schedule service.

The Ice Jams that are forming from the heavy weight of the snow on the roofs is causing significant damage to many homes. A the first sign of leak, the insurance company will tell you "do what you have too to safeguard your home as to minimize damage." I was shocked when even in my custom built home  I began to see evidence of a leak in the Master Bathroom.When the leak first appears and the sun is shinning I knew the water was not going to stop. So I grabbed a screwdriver and a hammer and poked holes in the ceiling to release the water.  Hopefully that will be the extent of the damage.  Yes that is water flowing from the ceiling and by the grace of God it was directly over the master bathroom tub!

Several neighbors who stopped at my home when Consumer Construction was taking the snow off the roof, stated they had significant leaks, one man said his kitchen ceiling collapsed! His insurance company said remove the gutters if need be.

Insurance companies are flooded with calls. We have Nationwide and the earlies an adjusted can come is mid week next week. The first contractor they suggested ( A Blue Ribbon Contractor) said it would be at least three weeks before they could get out.

If you need help you can also try posting an ad on Craigslist Gigs Section for a roofer or someone to remove your gutters.

"As bad as this February 2010 snow has been, it is a blessing to so many who's services are tied to the housing industry.With this storm contractors now have work, painters will be in great demand, landscappers will have amazing summer sales as the snow gives way to green lawns and damage bushes and tree's."

Have real estate questions? Call Peggy James today at 703-851-3085 or  contact me by email . 

Erick and Company Family Real Estate Team Servicing Prince William County Residents.

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty,14029 Crossing Place,  Woodbridge VA. 22192. 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. 

Yesterday I attended a home inspection for one of my clients.It was a lovely custom built resale home. During the inspection the inspector noted that many of the windows would fall when in the open position and several had size-able gaps allowing air flow in between the plastic jamb as well as small critters such as Lady Bugs inside the home.

My clients grew concerned, however the inspector quickly pointed out, the house was not very old and the windows just needed repair. None of the seals were broken, it was just a matter of getting the right parts to make the repairs.

He recommended "Blaines Window Repair." He explained that here in the Virginia area they are the only place that carries replacement parts for spring balances for window sashes.

He explained to the buyer that most people, just go to the local hardware store such as Home Depot or Lowes and when they do not find the part they need, they just live with windows that do not operate. 

All windows in a home must be operational and windows that come crashing down can hurt a child or even an adult. I remember recently my husband was in an upper bedroom hanging out the window with the leaf blower cleaning the leaves from the gutter. The window came crashing down on his head as he pulled himself back inside as he was getting done. Oh my, the words I could hear from upstairs! ( #++***!!!**#+++###!!!) Luckily he was just bruised and not hurt badly.

Tip For Sellers: if you have windows that fall, or do not open and are painted shut,  have them repaired before you list your home for sale. This is home owner maintenance.

I so glad I know the name of a company where we can get the part. Never assume you must replace the windows.

Vist their  website now

Remember I'm only a phone call away  if you need real estate help.

Call me, reach me direct at  703-851-3085    

   or contact me by email    

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 . 
                                
                      

Yesterday, I was quietly working on my computer in the morning hours and the dogs began to bark alerting me someone was on the property. It was about 9:30 am and I thought, who could that be I'm not expecting anyone? 

My door clearly say No Soliciting! I live on a corner lot in the Westridge Subdivison in Lake Ridge Virginia on a main street... so we tend to get a lot of solicitors for firewood, tree cutting and magazines.However he wasn't trying to sell me something....he was the County Tax Assessor! No Kidding!

Somehow I always thought he would be older  and much more stern looking. Turns out he was a mild mannered young man in khaki pants and a short sleeve shirt driving an official Prince William County car.

When I opened the door, the young man said "Hi, I am with the Prince William County Tax Assessors Office and I'd like to measure your home please." Well, I looked and he was wearing a county badge around his neck so I let him in. 

So what is the County Tax office looking for?

1. he was there to verify what he see's during his visit with the records on file
2. he is  looking for improvements completed without benefit of the county permits
3. he is looking for anything that would be considered a taxable change
4. such things as an addition, signifigant upgrades or increased living space etc...

In my case I was actually pleased to see the tax assessor.Why? Because what is on file at the tax assessors office was incorrect and it was not corrected when we purchased the home. Our home was recorded as a Long Home in Westridge, however it is a George Darn Custom Home. What's the difference? Huge. Back in 1989 when it was built the custom homes on acreage were signifigantly higher priced than the builder track homes. Features such as  Anderson Windows, Custom Detailing throughout, a one of kind Southern Living Floorplan on a acreage lot in a half acre subdivision. The information they have on file is wrong. The room over the garage is finished and the basement is 80% finished not half. So will it cost me more...yes!

Am I upset?  That's a trick question....

If I put on my Realtor Hat on, it's always better to have your tax assessment match your home for so many reasons.  However if I put my Homeowner Hat on, I hate the fact the tax assessor is in the neighborhood. The folks who will be most upset are those who did not submit for a county permit to finish a basement or to make capital improvements. If that's you, fair warning you may be paying more in the future.

The only issue I had yesterday was the fact I was taken by surprise, no notice, no letter, no phone call. Just someone walking and measuring my home. He had a county badge around his neck and a clip board and huge yellow tape measure.

I have  lived in Prince William County for 25 years and have been a homeowner 21 of those years. "This is the first time a county tax assessor has ever knocked on the door." Be advised the county is trying to make up the tax dollars on those of us who are still paying our mortgages and doing the right thing. It's a sign of the times....everyone, even the county is trying to find every dollar to make ends meet these days.

Have questions about your tax assessment?

Just Click on this link to get your current tax information

Tp call the tax office  Click Here

Remember if you need Real Estate Assistance Just Call

We're only a phone call away.

703-590-2252

Erick Blackwelder or Peggy James of Erick and Company - Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-590-2252  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.