Empty Nest = New Beginning

You meet the love of your life. The two of you bubble with excitement about starting your life together. You buy that first home and take the iconic picture next to the for sale sign in the front yard. The next thing you know, you hear the rumble of little feet bounding down the stairs. Before you know it, the house is bursting at the seams. Whether you had one child or five - they bring such a large energy to the house that it seems much fuller than you ever imagined.

Then one day, they leave. Off to school, off to travel, or off to start a family of their own. You're left with the empty rooms still reminiscent of childhood things like old stuffed animals, sports uniforms and prom pictures. You once again only have your significant other, or sometimes, just yourself.

As lonely as this may sound, this time should not be looked at as a sad time. Quite the opposite, its a new beginning. A time to start again with your empty nest. This time you may not be filling it with children, but with new interests, new hobbies and new friends.

It's time to make a new home for yourself. It won't look the same as the home that you moved into those many years ago, because you were a different person then, and you had different priorities. This time around it's all about you.

Loudoun County real estate is a great investment for all of you empty nesters out there looking for your new beginning. It offers that quieter lifestyle you desire, yet its still filled with energy and culture that you don't want to give up. Gourmet eateries, world-class shops, wineries, horse farms, quaint towns, hunting, an active community. There's so much to be discovered. It's the perfect new beginning.


Helena Talbot
Broker/Owner
Exit Realty Talbot and Company 

Phone: 703-574-3800

Email: Helena@mris.com
www.loudouncountyonline.com

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Teal Is the New Green: Exit Realtors Trained to Know Green Real Estate

As I spoke about in my last blog, the green movement is bigger and better than ever. It has pushed itself into the forefront of every industry and Real Estate is no exception to that.

EXIT realty is doing everything they can to make sure their agents are knowledgeable about the environment and its affect on real estate.

At the 2009 EXIT Annual Convention, EXIT announced its new initiative, "Teal is the New Green." With extensive training, resources and other tools, EXIT realtors are well on their way to becoming Green Realtors.

The training will address green home certification programs like Energy Star and help EXIT agents provide their clients with the best ways to satisfy the green-minded consumer. They are joining forces with EcoBroker International - the world's first and largest green designation program designed exclusively for real estate professionals.

Lets take a look at some of the newest and most innovative ways the Real Estate market is going green today:

When a home has gotten the Energy Star seal of approval, it encompasses 38 product categories ranging from furnaces and appliances to entire homes. To qualify for the Energy Star label, a home must be at least 30% more energy efficient in its heating, cooling and water heating than the former 1993 Model Energy Code standards.


A home can be green, not for what's inside, but for the land that it sits on. Site development that reduces erosion and protects trees, indoor and outdoor water conservation and the use of recyclable and renewable materials, makes all the difference in a home's carbon footprint.

Cool new toys are popping up everywhere too. The talking plug has the power to monitor and capture your home's energy use, carbon output data, and can also communicate with the internet.

The community a home is located in can also make a home environmentally friendly. If work, school and recreation are close together, that means less traveling and less carbon emissions. If your community, like Loudoun County, emphasizes the importance of the environment, that also makes all the difference.


Helena Talbot
Broker/Owner

Exit Realty Talbot and Company

Phone: 703-574-3800

Email: Helena@mris.com
www.loudouncountyonline.com

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Loudoun County: Thoughtful Citizens Can Change the World

Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

In November, Loudoun County was the proud winner of the 2009 Green Government Challenge sponsored by the Virginia Municipal League. Loudoun won "green points" by adopting policies and actions leading to energy efficiency within the community.


Even more recently, on December 15th, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors adopted the county's first comprehensive plan for reducing energy usage among the community.


The grant will be used for projects like installing solar lights and recharging units for electric vehicles, conservation education and outreach for residents and business community, and energy efficient renovations through the county’s Home Improvement Program.

23 Loudoun County Public School's have received the EPA Energy Star Award this year, up from seven a year ago.

Living in a community so motivated to improve our planet, inspires all of us to do our part. Making your home more energy efficient is two fold. One, you will save yourself money. And two, you will reduce your carbon footprint.

What can you do to energy proof your home this winter? Here are some small changes that actually make a big difference.

Check toilets and faucets for water leakage. A leaky faucet can waste up to 2,100 gallons of water a year.

Locate air leaks that could be coming through electrical outlets, window frames, baseboards, attic hatches, or fireplace dampers. The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home may range from 5% to 30% per year.

Purchase energy efficient lamps. Energy for lighting accounts for about 10% of your electric bill.

Use heat-generating appliances such as washers, dryers or ovens during the cooler hours of the morning or evening. This actually helps to heat your house in the winter!

When the sun is shining, open those drapes or curtains! Take advantage of that natural heat source.

There are a ton of other actions you can take. Find out how much energy and money can be saved in your home by visiting the Home Energy Saver Website. It features a calculator that quickly computes a home's energy use and savings opportunities.

Loudoun County recognizes that what we do as a community, makes a difference. Thoughtful and committed we are - ready to make a difference in our community, and the world, one citizen at a time.

Helena Talbot
Broker/Owner
Exit Realty Talbot and Company 

Phone: 703-574-3800

Email: Helena@mris.com
www.loudouncountyonline.com

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“Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to.” – Bill Vaughn

Giving Back in Loudoun County

At this time of year people tend to be giving more than any other time of the year. Of course we get caught up in the stress and the shopping of the holidays. But in these bad economic times have you noticed people hoping to help each other more than they ever did?

Loudoun County residents are well known for their generosity. Yes, we are all feeling the economic pinch, but these are the times, more than ever, that we need to come together as a community and help each other. What can you do to help in Loudoun County this holiday season?

If you’re an animal lover
The Humane Society of Loudoun County, VA is a no kill, all volunteer organization working to save the lives of abandoned, feral, and injured animals. The members of their all-volunteer team live in all areas of Loudoun County, VA, including Leesburg, Sterling, Waterford, Ashburn, Lovettesville, Middleburg and many others.

Helping the Elderly
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is an organization that seeks to assist individuals fifty-five years of age or older to stay active and involved in their community. It’s a great way to become better connected to the older adults of the community - you may go in to touch their lives, but you never know how much they could touch yours.

Keep the roads safe this holiday season
Loudoun County MADD is a grass-roots organization, staffed with volunteers who are doing everything they can to eliminate drunk driving. You can do things like help the Sheriff’s Department with Loudoun County’s Sobriety checkpoints, staff booths at various festivals and help sponsor events and contests.

Making sure everybody gets a warm meal
The mission of Loudoun Interfaith Relief, Inc., is to feed the hungry by providing emergency food assistance to those in need to any person or family living in Loudoun County. That includes the poor, the unemployed, the elderly, the sick and the homeless. In 2008 alone they served a record 50,426 individuals - which is over 14,000 families.


Helena Talbot
Broker/Owner
Exit Realty Talbot and Company 

Phone: 703-574-3800

Email: Helena@mris.com
www.loudouncountyonline.com

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Leesburg VA courthouse

 

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Aldie Mill in Aldie, VA

 

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Williamsburg Dec. 2009

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The Magic of Loudoun County at the Holidays

Loudoun County is famous for its picturesque scenery, historical villages and fairs and festivities that attract people from miles away. Can you imagine a better place to live during the holiday season?



Loudoun County is fondly known as DC’s Wine Country. In fitting Loudoun style, do a little wine tasting to kick off the holidays. The annual end of the year celebration at Willowcroft Farm Vineyards offers a special tasting of champagnes, sparkling wines and hors d’oeuvres on Saturday, December 12th.





The spirit of Christmas is strong in the Loudoun County community which becomes very evident driving the streets filled with homes twinkling with lights, Santa’s reindeer and the like. The community has an opportunity to vote this year for your favorite condo, townhouse, and single family home in both the traditional category or the contemporary glitz category, as well as honorable mention for a street or block with extraordinary lights. Prizes will be awarded so email your votes to Events@southriding.net or vote at Town Hall.



It is not quite the Holidays until you see The Nutcracker, and the Loudoun Ballet Company puts on one of the best performances around. After years of extensive research, The LBC has reconstructed the original version of the Nutcracker. The results are rave reviews, sold-out performances and a truly spectacular show.


Living in Loudoun County sometimes means traveling back in time. Imagine back to days of carriage rides, carolers adorned in 19th century attire and families joining together to search for the perfect Christmas tree. You can do all of this and more at the Carriage Depot Christmas, an annual event held at Morven Park Equestrian Center on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 8 PM.


Its easy to get stressed out during the holidays, but living in Loudoun reminds you just how magical the holidays can be. If you want to call Loudoun County "home," I can help.

Helena Talbot
Broker/Owner
Exit Realty Talbot and Company 

Phone: 703-574-3800

Email: Helena@mris.com
www.loudouncountyonline.com

My Featured Listings

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There is no free tuition in the school of experience.