Lake Ridge VA Real Estate News

If you live in Westridge, chances are you've seen a lot of For Sale Signs this year. In the first half of 2010, there have been thirty one homes listed for sale so far. Let me break that down for you since Westridge offers both single family homes and townhome living. There were seventeen townhomes listed and fourteen single family homes. So I'm sure your wondering how does all this activity affect my homes value. Just send me a quick email and I will send you back a quick snapshot of your homes value.

However in the meantime, let me break it down for you. Since January 2010 this has been the single family home activity.

Take a look at the actuall home listing and sold here

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Now let me show you the townhome stats. Currently there are eight buying opportunities if you are looking for a large townhome in the Lake Ridge Virginia area. Three are active Foreclosure listing and two are being sold by short sale the other three are healthy (regular owner) listings.

Take a look at what homes are actively For Sale right now and those that were successfully sold in the first half of 2010. Click here.

So let me break down this information for you.

The best news is the average time to sell your Westridge home is 30 days!

The Single Family Home Market Remains Healthy Only 1 Foreclosure and 0 Short Sale Listings!

Twelve of the thirty three townhomes were distress sale.

I know Westridge, I live and work in the community.Don't hesitate to call me. 

Do you have questions about the value of your home? Call me 703-851-3085 or contact me by email 

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

Today's post is about how marketing matters when selling your home. Some people think all that's needed is a For Sale sign in the front yard, a lockbox on the front door and then just place the home in MLS. Occasionally, homeowners and Realtors get lucky, however for the most part it takes a lot of work.

So how does a Realtor go about finding that buyer that will love your home as much as you do. Let me explain. Play Video

Let me share with you, how I work hard for homeowners who need to sell. Remember, you will benefit more on the bottom line it you choose  to hire a Realtor who knows your community well. Make sure you hire an experienced Realtor who will be able to master all of the hurdles on the way to settlement.

 Below are just a few examples of how Erick and Company will market your home and get it sold fast.

Then I will make sure to Blog about your home similar to this. When readers find homes on the Internet especially on a blog post, they should feel they are getting more information that just looking at a MLS Listing online. This is the place where I can showcase your home in a more personal way.

We also use Business Card Stickers to promote your home

Not only that we market with Text to allow prospective home buyers to access information about your home instantly.No matter whether they just drove by your home or they picked up a flyer in the house, they can access information about your home in seconds. Price, Photo's, bedrooms and baths Go ahead punch in the code above to see how this works.

Start by typing #79564 into the To section of the text area, now type 76860 and the information will be sent to instantly!

You the seller never have to worry that a buyer is not able to learn how much your home is, or just drives a way assuming the price is to high.

These are just a few ways that Erick and Company helps sellers sell fast in today's real estate market. We have many more and our tool box is full. 

 When you need Results, Count on Erick and Company

                                                                              How can we help you today?

                       Do you have questions about the value of your home? Call me 703-851-3085 or contact me by email 

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

 Good News For Local Homeowners Who Are Ready To Sell

The most recent numbers are in for May 2010.

• Acute Housing Shortage
• Seller Activity Did Not Outpace Buyer Activity.
• Sellers Benefiting-  Having To Pay Less Incentives
• Days On Market Way Down

Have you been dreaming about selling your current home and buying a new one? Oh my goodness, can I show you some jaw dropping gorgeous homes that you could only dream about years ago. What are you waiting for. Interest rates are historically low. I purchased my first townhome in Springfield for fourteen percent in 1984!  Today's rates are ridiculously low. They won't stay this low forever. Call me let's talk about your options.  

Do you need help selling your home? Call me 703-851-3085 or contact me by email

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

Over the past month Erick and Company has assisted so many Homeowners in the Woodbridge Virginia area sell their homes.  These are just a few that have recently settled and moved. Each of the homes was different and faced it's own set of challenges. However no matter what the challenge our real estate team has the experience to coach you on all of your options.  Just know that when it is time to sell your home, it is important to choose a Realtor who will see it through to a successful result."You need more than a Realtor who places a sign in the front yard, a lockbox on the door and then prays your home will sell." Learn how to choose a good Realtor and what you should be looking for. No matter whether you are relocating to a new area, downsizing or you need to sell your home by Short Sale our family real estate team is ready to help you attain your goals.

Don't wait.  Inventory is low and  buyers are searching for nice homes to buy because interest rates are the lowest they have been in sixty years ( read more here)

 When you need Results, Count on Erick and Company

How can we help you today?

                       Do you have questions about the value of your home? Call me 703-851-3085 or contact me by email 

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

Good News for all Prince William County Residents who are thinking,now might be a good time to sell. You're right!

• Average Days on market  for homes listed is down!
• Median Sales Price is up!
• Average Sales Price is up!
• Inventory is low..

Don't hesitate to call me at 703-851-3085 or just simply click here to email me your questions.

Do you need help selling your home? Call me 703-851-3085 or contact me by email

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

One month ago a homeowner in The Vinings in Lake Ridge,Virginia contacted me to help her sell her condo.Since her home did not have a lot of updates that home buyers are looking for today such as stainless steel appliances and granite and all new baths, I suggested we list it just under the $150,000 mark to capture the attention of home buyers  who were looking up to $150,000 and also catch the attention of buyers who could afford more however were hoping to get a good deal.

Immediately we had traffic. That said several Buyers Agents gave me feedback the condo was priced to high,. In thier opinion the  Hud Foreclosure a one bedroom until was just listed for $85,000. I heard from several who said, that is going to affect the value. I am recomending my clients move onto a different unit. Peggy, why did you price yours so high?

"Let me just stop here and go on the record. The last five homes I have listed in the Lake Ridge, Woodbridge Virginia area in the past three months have all  sold for list price  or above, and they have also appraised at contract price or higher! I am not a listing agent who is going to list your home for lower just because I can.  I live and work in this community and it is important to me that homeowners know that I am someone that can be trusted, that I am a career Realtor and that I will do everything in my power to get your Fair Market Value!"  Ok...I fell better now!!!

Back to this Vinings condo. Well , the first offer arrived within a week. It was a cash offerand they asked for all of her furniture! Say What??? Another red flag they asked for her furniture! Well... she never considered that a serious offer.So scheduled an open house. It was scheduled for two short hours on a Sunday afternoon. In that time we had nine visitors alone and two with Realtors. It was a revolving door. In the end I was able to present the seller with three offers to choose from. 

The great news is the home apparaised for the Contracted Price of $155,400 and the seller is happily packing and getting ready to relocate.

The home is now fully Under Contract At $155,400!

To learn more about this condo and what it had to offer read more here.

A good listing agent knows what appraisers look for and a good listing agent will want to help selllers get the most money they possibly can. When it is time to sell your home in the Prince William County, Virginia area, don't hesitate to call me. I can help you. 703-851-3085

                                       You Can Reach me direct at 703-851-3085 or  contact me by email . 

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. 

Well let me just say this " The worst thing a homeowner could ever do is hire someone who places a lockbox on the door, a sign in the yard, a listing in MLS System and then just prays it will sell! 

Personally that just drives me crazy!!!   Your home is a huge investment. You deserve to get the most money the market will allow. Wouldn't you agree?

Well, Erick Blackwelder and I have a message for anyone who is thinking of selling a home in the Prince William County Virginia area. If you have a few minutes listen to the video we put together for you to help you understand what it really takes to sell your home.

Here are realated posts:

• How do you Buy or Sell A Home In Prince William County Virginia right now
• The Prince William County Virginia Real Estate Market Has Become More Balanced
• Seller Received Two Low Ball Offers and Two Workable Offers. Under Contract for Full Price!
• How Erick and Company gives every Seller  private Website for you home. View Here
• Erick and Company markets homes for sellers Online, Using Text, Video's and Real Estate Blogs to help reach the buying community quickly. Read More

Do You Need Help?  We're  Just  A Phone Call Away. 703-590-2252 

If you need to sell we can help.

Call or Contact Peggy James- Realtor® - Exit 1st Choice Realty ...                       Contact Peggy Now Visit Our Website: www.erickandcompany.com Erick And Company 14029 Crossing Place, Woodbridge, VA 22192 My Direct #(703) 851-3085 or Office # (703)590-2252 Get directions  Write a review More information »

In today's day and age when most people want to find something they just fire up the computer,do a few clicks on a smart phone to find what they need. Well the same goes when you are searching for a Realtor to help you buy or sell ahome. 

Before you buy or sell a home, make sure you are aligning yourself with someone who knows your community well, who has the tools and the knowledge to help you meet your goals.  Well, some folks say "How do I do that?" or "Where do I start looking?"

Click on the Video shown below to see how with a few simple clicks on Google a homeowner can find relavant, currernt, real estate information in your community. You can search for a good Realtor, pinppoint who sells homes in your community and learn what Realtors have the best Online pressence to help you meet your goals.

At the bottom of the video you can click on other video's Erick and Company has on YouTube or just follow this link. VIEW HERE

If you are relocating to the area, or simply are just looking to move into or out of the Woodbridge, Lake Ridge Virginia area give Erick and Company a call. We are a family real estate team who knows the Woodbridge Virginia Real Estate like the back of our hands.

 Do you have a

                                       You Can Reach me direct at 703-851-3085 or  contact me by email . 

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. 

This is the post I wrote about this home last week Read More

This is how we market homes Personal Website

We even use buisness card stickers for an additional level of marketing

We use flyers that show buyers how much it will cost to buy this home View Here

We use Social Media sites  such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkend  to promote your home. The key is getting the information out to the buying public in a huge way and fast.  The more Virtual Showings you have Online will result in Physical Showings crossing your threshold.When you need to sell. Call Erick and Company we're Realtors who will go the extra mile to get you the results you need.  

 Erick and Company needs homes to sell now. Call us if you would like to discuss your options for selling.  

Call or Contact Peggy James- Realtor® - Exit 1st Choice Realty ...  Click here to Contact Peggy Now Visit Our Website: www.erickandcompany.com Erick And Company-Exit First Choice Realty  14029 Crossing Place, Woodbridge, VA 22192 My Direct #(703) 851-3085 or Office # (703)590-2252 Get directions  Write a review More information »

How unfortunate for the home buyer(s) who fall in love with a home, wants to write an offer and doesn't because they feel there are better deals out there.  When a home buyer is interested in a home, typically a good  Buyers Agent will look at and go over all the homes that have sold nearby in the past three to six months with the prospective home buyer. In the case of the home I listed a few weeks ago at 12496 Sulky Ct in Lake Ridge VA much of the Buyers Agents feedback was, nice house, great condition, however the buyers felt it was overpriced.

We can't blame the Buyers Agents, they are powerless and have no way of showing the buyer how the home looked when it was a foreclosure compared to the house they see today.  Buyers do not trust and believe sellers are just being greedy. "It doesn't help that the information on the previous MLS Listing has no photo's and very little written in the description. This is where Listing Agents do a huge disservice to their clients and the community and the real estate market as a whole.  Let me go on record to say I hate lazy listing agents!"

When I  listed this house, I knew I was faced with a huge challenge. The homeowners had only purchased the home about six months earlier as a bank foreclosure. They were asking $345,000 when it was advertised as For Sale By Owner. I knew that was too much, however I was impressed with the quality of workmanship and how much the homeowner had done in six months. The only reason they were moving is because they needed to relocate. They were heart broken knowing they had sunk more that $70,000 into renovations. The tricky part was they had only purchased the home for $237,000 a few months before. 

I met with them and I agreed to list the home. We listed in MLS for $330,000. 

Traffic was good, the marketing brought several dozen buyers into the house within the first two weeks. "That said, even though many buyers loved the home, but passed thinking they would find a better deal and that just maybe the seller would come down in price over time. WRONG!"

In the end two smart home buyers who saw the value of buying a home in Lake Ridge Virginia made offers. The homeowners accepted one and the home went under contract.

Now comes the nerve racking part. The  Appraisal Process. As the sellers agent it is my job to coach them on their options and to help them get their price.

• I asked the seller to place Before and After Photo's on the dining room table for the appriaser
• I pulled the most recent comparable homes sold with interior photo's on the table as well.
• I asked the seller to draft up an expense breakdown of all of the improvements he had made in the home since they bought the home.
• Then we all kept our fingers crossed.

This weekend I was able to call the sellers to tell them the good news! The  home appraised for $330,000! Exactly what I listed if for. So yesterday I was able to change the status of the home in MLS to Contract and now they are heading to settlement at the end of the month! 

The Moral Of The Story. 

Buyers: if you like the house and it fits your lifestyle and you can see yourself living there for the long haul. Put in an offer. Don't pass on your dream home just because you think it is overpriced. Let the appraisal process do what it is suppose to do. Determine the Fair Market Value.

Homeowners:If you are thinking of selling your home, give me a call. I take great pride in helping homeowners get top dollar for their home.

Do You Need Help Selling or Buying A Home? I'm Only A Phone Call Away,

Call or Contact Peggy James- Realtor® - Exit 1st Choice Realty ... Contact Peggy Now Visit Our Website: www.erickandcompany.com Erick And Company-Exit First Choice Realty  14029 Crossing Place, Woodbridge, VA 22192 My Direct #(703) 851-3085 or Office # (703)590-2252 Get directions  Write a review More information »