Get your penny stretch by reusing your used dryer sheets...
Reusing them: Sheet are not done
after the first tumble, reuse the sheet for next round of drying
clothes.
Furniture: Ran out of expensive duster? Don't
run to the store to buy a new box, your used dryer sheet works well in
cleaning the furniture including your electronics.
Diapers: I used to put a sheet in
the Diaper Genie when my kids where young. One other mom told me she add
the used sheet between the diaper so the odor does not leak out.
Trash Cans: It may not be useful to
hold your trash but it will definitely keep the odor out. Put a sheet in
the trash can and keep your bathroom & trash can smelling fresh.
Shower door: Wet a sheet and it will
remove the soap build up.
Clean the Paint Brush: Soak a paint
brush in warm water with a dryer sheet. The static from the sheet will
help you to remove the latex paint.
Get bugs off your car: Wet your car
& use the dryer sheet as a sponge. Bugs will come right off.
Filter for your flower pots: Put a
sheet on the bottom of your pot where the hole is & fill with soil.
This will avoid from soil coming thru.
Fragrance everywhere: Put the sheets
in your car/closet/storage/work place/shoes/purse/between the mattress
& pillow/luggage or any where you want to get the fresh clean smell.
Keep bees away: With summer
approaching this is great use of the sheet, place a sheet on your patio
umbrella or picnic basket this will keep the bees away from you.
If you have more unique use of the sheet please feel free to add to this
list.
Sam Callahan, the son of a Realtor in Silicon Valley, is 14 years old
and has cancer which is not responding to two different types of
chemotherapy. His cancer, Ewing's Sarcoma, had metasticized before it
was discovered on September 22nd.
Sam writes about his battle with Ewing's Sarcoma on the
Sam's Team website.
He is an amazing 8th grader with a good attitude who wants to beat this
thing. If you read his "about Sam" page, you'll find he's a great
writer, too.
Normally, we can feel very helpless to "do anything" besides offer our compassion, thoughts and prayers.
But
this time, there IS something you can do, and it only takes a couple of
minutes. It may not change how he feels after radiation or chemo, but
it will lift his spirits and those of his family and friends to see an
outpouring of support. And it will help Sam and his family to make a
little goal they've set up for themselves.
In addition to the
website, Sam's family & friends have a "fan page" on Facebook. It's
called I'm On Sam's Team. Their modest goal is to have 5000 fans by St.
Patrick's Day. I'd like to help them get there. As of this moment, they
have 2608 fans. They want people to know about Ewing's Sarcoma and they
want people to know about Sam and his battle with this cancer.
What To Do: So, my Active Rain friends, I know a lot of you are on Facebook. If not, this might be the right time to join!
1. Please take a moment and log into Facebook.
2. Go to the Search bar and key in I'm On Sam's Team or use this link once you're logged in:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=261410896243&ref=ts 3. At the very top, in the middle, there's a button which says Join Group - click on it
That's
it. How easy it is to send some support and encouragement! Of course,
read through the website and the FB page too! But it only takes a
minute to "fan" a page.
Join us on Sam's Team!
For once we can say negative looks positive!!! We have seen a drastic turn around in the
Fairfax county Virginia residential real estate market place. Low interest rate, inventory & tax credit expiration has all added to the huge upswing in our market place. Even the worst blizzard in the history of the our area did not stop motivated buyer & seller get the homes off the market.
For once we can say negative looks positive!!! We have seen a drastic turn around in the Loudoun county Virginia residential real estate market place. Low interest rate, inventory & tax credit expiration has all added to the huge upswing in our market place. Even the worst blizzard in the history of the our area did not stop motivated buyer & seller get the homes off the market.
Are you a home buyer who is still on fence about Northern Virginia residential Real Estate Market ? So let's get your facts straight:
Forbes recently released richest counties in the country guess who is on the top of the list?
Loudoun (#1), Fairfax (#2), City of Fairfax (#6), Arlington (#9),
Stafford County (#12), Prince William County (#14) and City of
Alexandria (#23)
We do have a low unemployment rate. Don't want to beat the old drums. Data directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistic shows our unemployment rate is at 6.2 which is way below than double digits in some states.
We
have already seen an increase in our real estate market median home
price in January. Even with the worst winter in the history of the DC
metro area we are expecting the February numbers to be very competitive.
Lower inventory and investor being back in the market place has led us into multiple bid situations. Which is a challenge once again for our home buyer
First time home buyer & Repeated buyer tax credit expires in 7 weeks. Yes in 7 short weeks!! So get the contract ratified before April 30th and have settlement prior to June 30th to get that tax credit.
New
changes coming to the FHA loan program starting April 5th. Speak to
your lender to understand how this will affect your purchasing power.
Associate Broker
EcoBroker, ABR, ePRO
Samson Properties
Cell - 703-625-4949
Email - info@eNOVAHomes.com
Web: www.eNOVAHOMES.com
Confused when you are ready the remarks by PRO (Realtors) while searching for home? I have been asked by a number of buyers recently to explain some of the abbreviations in the listings I have sent them.
So I thought I would give a list of common abbreviations for those who may search them out on the web in the Northern Virginia Market place.
Here are some of the more common usages:
AGP - Above Ground Pool
ATT - Attached
BDRM -Bedrooms
BSMT-Basement
CA, CAC -Central Air Conditioning
CH/BW - Chain Link/Barbed Wire
EIK - Eat-in-kitchen
EF - Entrance Foyer
FDR - Formal dining room
FP/FPL - Fireplace
FSBO - For Sale By Owner
FX - Fairfax
Gar - Garage
HDW/HWF/Hdwd - Hardwood Floors
HVAC - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
IGP - In-ground pool
LO - Loudoun
LR - Living Room
MLS - Multiple Listing Service
MBDRM - Master bedroom
NC - New construction
PR- Powder Rm
SFD - Single Family Detached
SGD - Sliding Glass Doors
SOT - Shower over tub (Bathrm)
SS - Stainless Steel
Upr - Upper floor
W/D - washer/dryer
D/W - Dishwasher
WIC - Walk In Closet
So next time you are stuck call me or just ask your Realtor in Virginia.
If you are in the market for a home under $500000 in Fairfax, Loudoun or Prince William county of Northern Virginia, it is a challenge to win a contract without crossing off contingencies or sweetening the deal with higher offer. This trend is getting stronger as we are getting closure to the first time tax credit deadline. However with the new changes coming to the FHA loan program starting April , the expiration of the tax credit and speculation of higher interest rate many are unsure of where the real estate market will head....
Click here for the video was released by our local MLS board MRIS on local housing trend.
Apart from giving your home the most exposure in the market place:
Yet another reason why to list with Ritu Desai & Samson Properties
We are proud to announce a partnership with Samson Properties and ENUFF WITH THE STUFF!
If you list with me, you will receive a free consultation from a professional Organizer/Stager for your home.
Maria White of ENUFF WITH THE STUFF is offering one free hour of staging or de-cluttering services. This may be used in the form of hands on work or a written plan of action to be created for the seller.
She is a proud member of National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Washington DC NAPO Chapter & National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD).
So are you ready to list with me? Call me at 703-625-4949 or email me at Info@eNOVAHomes.com
Our January market report are typically lower in volume due to the holidays. Apart from the hangover of the holidays, we had seen a record breaking winter condition during January & Feb. of this year. Even when are barometer was going down , the city of Sterling in
Loudoun County Virginia has shown the strong Real Estate market.
- Homes for sale: 383 ( up from 374 last month)
- Closed sales: 71 (down from 121 last month)
- Median sold price: $274,000 (up 18% from one year ago)
- Average days on market: 36 ( down from 39 days last month)
An increasing number of investors and the shorting timeline for the first time home buyer credit have both contributed towards reducing the number of home of days in the market and an increase of 18% of the median sales price. This is just the beginning of the year, we are expecting to hold the ground strong in both Fairfax & Loudoun County area of Northern Virginia.
Past weekend, I met a potential client who lives International but has a home in Potomac Falls, Virginia. They have decided to sell their home, and wanted to meet up with me to discuss the sale of their home.... Since he had come down for a short business trip he wanted to knock down two birds at the same time. We met at my office, after my initial listing presentation & discussion about the home, comps and all the good stuff , I asked him how did you find me? His answer was I read your Blogs.
He is very tech savvy person who understands the market approach has changed when selling a home. He wanted to list with a Realtor who provides the internet exposure to sell his home this spring.
So for all the agents who think no one reads my blog 
don't underestimate the power you ever know when you will run into your next client who does care about your blog and internet presence.
Rivercrest
(also known as South Bank) is a small development in eastern Loudoun
County, Virginia. The builder that have constructed beautiful homes
were M/I homes, NV Homes, Winchester, Ryan Homes, Engle homes, and
K.Hov. Homes.
It is bordered by the Potomac River to the
north, Lowes Island to the east(Trump Golf), Sugarland Run Creek (the waterway) to the west and Algonkian Parkway to the south. Surrounded by park land and trees (Algonkian Regional Park), there are abundant opportunities for wildlife viewing, jogging, bird watching, dog walking, and the like.
Location:
It
is a perfect commuting location - just across the Fairfax County line -with easy access to Route 7, Route 28 & Fairfax County Parkway. Shopping is abundant with the Dulles Town Center mall just a few miles up the road. We are about 15-20 mins to Tyson's
Corner.
My testimonial about the neighborhood:
I have been a Resident for now 10+ years and have nothing but positive things to say about the community. My son look forward to summer swim meet (Goooo Riptide !)& Kids Triathlon. Apart from that the community social commitee has wonderful activities for all age kids through out
the year:
Easter Egg Hunt
Community Yard Sale
July 4th Parade (Fire truck soaking the kids its a blast)
Halloween Haunted Path
Christmas Decoration Contest
Snowman Contest
Amenities in Rivercrest:
25 meter swim pool
Wading pool for the little munchkins
4 Tot lots
Walking Trails
Common area
Apart from having a great community, we are nested between Trump Golf coarse in Lowes Island & Loudoun's best recreation facility.
Near by Parks & Recreation:
Algonkian Park
Located on the scenic Potomac shore, Algonkian
Regional Park is the perfect place for an afternoon of fun in the sun, a family vacation or even your wedding.
The park includes Downpour! (a large swimming pool and aquatics play complex), a par-72 golf course, miniature golf, trails,
a boat launch, picnic shelters, vacation cottages, and a versatile meeting center.
Fields are great for soccer or any sports event.
Real Estate Market in Rivercrest:
If this has peeked your interest here are the synopsis of homes in my neighborhood
http://mrislistings.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?ID=35241567221
As your neighborhood Realtor please feel free to call me 703-625-4949 or email me Info@eNOVAHomes.com if you have any questions.
This topic reminded me of a
family whose I had sold a home while back. They had bought a new
construction home. After 5 years living in the home, the husband had a
job relocation so they were thinking about renting the home or selling
it. Walking around the home I was bit puzzled, the home was decorated
as if a picture from a catalog, it reflected the pride of ownership!
However the intake vents looked like they were clogged & dirty or
the ducts where clogged... I asked them if they got the HVAC serviced
or have any issues? My naive homeowner tells me they vacuumed every
time but the vent never looks clean. They even unscrewed to wash in
their bath tub. Long story short, I recommended them to get a local
HVAC professional company to service their system, it was diagnosed
they never changed the filter and the system was at a point of hazard.
They end up spending a lot of money getting this system working
normally which could have be done by simple filter change &
knowledge of how things work.
Now just imagine you bought that home as foreclosure or short sale.
Hmmm....you would have spend hundreds of dollars before you receive
your first utility bill.
In our current Virginia real estate market, we have increasing number
of our home buyers getting caught up in
the bidding war with the attitude to win the next home they put the
contract on and make the place their home. But at the same time they
forgot the aftermath about being a home owner.
The home may show very well but do consider the home just like your
car, things
deteriorate over the period and it needs maintenance.
My recommendation irrespective whether we are contingent on a home
inspection or NOT I highly recommend my clients to get professional
home inspection to inspect the home. It doesn't matter you are
purchasing a new construction or a 60's home, get to know what you are purchasing , understand the life of the equipments and the maintenance on those equipment.
Back to the question about how much should as a homeowner estimate when purchasing a resale home???
According to industry standards, homeowners should have 1% of the
purchase price of their home in savings for improvements and surprise
expenses. While this minimum will help ease through maintenance costs,
a 2-3% cushion is far more prudent
Apart from budgeting yourself, opt for home warranty. Ask your Realtor
for various companies with different level of service provided at
various deductible. For a first time home owner it may take a lot of
anxiety out of home ownership.
It never hurts to be prepared for any unforeseen issues in the home but arm yourself with knowledge and reserve!
Loudouners fork out $4,844 annually per home, the most for any county in the southern United States and nearly three times more than the $1,180 national average.
In ranking each county, Forbes.com used the 2008 U.S. Census’ American Community Survey, which is conducted annually. The survey, which is sent to one in every 40 homes, asks property owners how much they spend per month in property taxes. Researchers then use the median number per county from 2006-2008. Forbes then separates the data into four regions, and ranks counties by their percentage about the national average property tax.
I have been a long term Loudoun resident and not surprised with this result. I have seen increase in our property taxes. It is proposed our tax rate will go from $1.24 to $1.40.
Most of our budget goes towards school and transportation. I am still proud to be a Loudoun Resident.
This video has been floating all around the internet world. While it has cause a big news in our real estate industry, I am still half unsure how much of the numbers are true. But I am sure as a common person, I would be upset if my tax money used this way.
Profits from Indymac Short Sale
Positive news for the home seller in Fairfax County, Virginia!!! As per the data release by MRIS our local MLS, the average days of the market has continued to declined in the area . The statistic from the month of January shows a huge decline in number of days that takes the home to go from
Active status to Under Contract. We have seen a surge in multiple contracts for homes priced under $500K. There were 738 homes sold in Fairfax County just in Jan. month!! Who says recover is not far away.
The data composed also includes condos, single family, town homes and other styles of home in the price range of Less than $100K to greater than $5M .
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