Loudoun Wine Country: The Perfect Escape

So winter is officially here and we are all looking for a getaway from the weather and the winter doldrums. One of the best things about living in Loudoun is that it's full of opportunities to escape the everyday, even if it is just for a day or a short weekend.

There is no better escape in Loudoun than visiting any one of its wineries. Savoring the aromas of fruit, currant, spice or chocolate in your glass, feeling the warmth of a roaring fireplace, overlooking breathtaking backdrops of Virginia's rolling hills. Can you imagine having that experience available at your fingertips whenever you want an escape?

If I have caught your attention, then maybe you'll be interested in some of the upcoming events held in Loudoun County's vineyards...

Corcoran Night at Lansdowne's On The Potomac
Four tasty vintages served with spicy and sweet dishes to perfectly compliment the wines. Follow that with a special Corcoran wine dinner, then make a night of it and spend the night in one of the sumptuous rooms at this Four Diamond Award-winning resort.

Event Date: Sat, Jan 30, 2010
Event Time: 6 pm tasting, 7 pm wine dinner
44050 Woodridge Pkwy
Landsdowne, VA 20176
877-509-8400

Fondue and Willowcroft
Wine paired with chocolate foundue - does it get any better? A great excuse to bring together a group of family and friends.

Event Date: Sat, Feb 06, 2010
Event Time: 1-5 pm
Willowcroft Farm Vineyards
38906 Mount Gilead Rd
Leesburg, VA 20175
703-777-8161

Heart Healthy Dinner and Discussion
The "French Paradox" teaches us a health benefit that is like music to our ears: Wine is good for you. Join an esteemed cardiologist, while he teaches you what makes wine good for our hearts, all while enjoying heart healthy food and heart healthy wine.



Event Date: Sat, Feb 13th
Event Time: 7 pm
Doukenie Winery
14727 Mountain Rd
Hillsboro, VA 20132
540-668-6464 ext. 207

As always, I am here to answer any of your questions about Loudoun County - whether it be about real estate or my favorite vineyard, I promise to get back to you right away.

Helena Talbot
Broker/Owner
Exit Realty Talbot and Company 

Phone: 703-574-3800

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

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Weekly Market Activity Report

It's time for the Weekly Market Activity Report - here to keep you an informed consumer one week at a time...

The MRIS region is still seeing a pattern of strong home sales, but weak new listings. For the week ending January 16th, signed purchase agreements were up 24 percent from a year ago. However, new listings were down 1.7 percent.

The next few weeks ahead will be the true test of whether the home buyer's tax credit actually has any affect on the market. New listing numbers should increase with the tax credit because most buyers taking advantage of the credit will need to sell their first home before buying a new one.

So far, the trend has still been downhill for new listings, but with only 100 days left until the credit expires, the new listing number may be on its way back up that hill.

Check out the full MRIS Weekly Market Activity Report

Helena Talbot
Broker/Owner
Exit Realty Talbot and Company 

Phone: 703-574-3800

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

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New FHA Guidelines: Tightening the Belt

Before the market bust, it seemed that just about anybody could qualify for a home loan. Young couples and the like were realizing the American dream sooner than they ever thought possible. All they had to do was get an FHA loan on their home. Well starting next Wednesday, Uncle Sam is not going to be so welcoming.

To give you a little background, FHA loans were created long before subprime loans became widely available, to help borrowers who couldn't get conventional home loans because they had low credit scores or limited resources. As you can imagine, this type of loan became very popular for a lot of people who never thought they would be eligible to be a homeowner. After the market bust, those new homeowners were unable to pay their mortgages, the FHA was responsible for backstopping the banks and the result was a severe drop in its reserve fund. Now, they have no choice but to tighten their belts to get themselves back on track...

The new guidelines for FHA backed mortgages require:

Higher insurance premiums. Mortgage insurance costs under the new guidelines have been increased from 1.75 to 2.25 percent of the loan.

A minimum credit score of 580 to obtain a 3.5% down payment. Borrowers with a lower score will be required to put down at least 10 percent.

A reduction on how much the seller can help the buyer, from 6 percent to 3 percent. This change will give borrowers a greater financial stake in their home purchases.

These restrictions are not as bad as they sound, nor are they necessarily a bad thing. They are more of a wake up call for future homeowners to be financially responsible. Of course the FHA still wants to help buyers with financing and buying homes - they are just taking a closer look at the lender's ability to repay their debt. This shouldn't affect people's desire to want to purchase their first home and keep believing in that American dream. I would be more than happy to offer my advice and help keep that dream alive.

If you're curious about Loudoun County's lending limits, take a look at the FHA's requirements for Virginia. If you have any questions about how this may affect you, please give me a call.

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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Weekly Market Activity Report

My region is experiencing its typical post-holiday surge. For the week ending January 9 there were 1,762 signed purchase agreements, up 19.8 percent from the same week last year.

The good news - over the last three months there have been more than 5,000 more pending sales than there were during the same period a year ago.

The not so good news - new listings were down 9.7 percent from the same week last year.

Check out the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

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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Loudoun Luxury in a Buyer's Market

Loudoun County real estate is unlike any other. Beautiful colonials set on acres of blossoming greenery. Sprawling living spaces filled with custom touches throughout. Easy access to scenic byways, spectacular shopping and villages steeped in history. And now, more than ever, Loudoun is a buyer's market. You will never again, get the opportunity to invest in such luxurious real estate, at such prices. Here is a little taste of my latest listing...


Luxury is the first word that comes to mind when entering this five bedroom, four and a half bathroom brick Colonial home. Open the door to prestige and elegance in the two-story foyer with Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring. The formal living room boasts lots of windows to bring in natural light. Special occasions dinners will be unforgettable in this sun-lit formal dining room touting a beautiful chandelier and wood moldings. While awaiting dinner to be served, gather around the fireplace for cocktails and conversation in the great room that conveniently opens to the kitchen. Sure to impress every guest and even the most discriminating cook, is the kitchen. It features granite countertops, gleaming hardwood flooring, ample cabinetry, built-in desk workstation, breakfast bar, large eating area and custom backsplash.

With an office on the first floor boasting lots of windows, high ceilings and custom moldings, there's never an excuse not to get work done. A convenient mud room and separate laundry room with washer and dryer included complete the first floor.

Continue to be impressed as you take the trip up the winding staircase to the the second floor. The master bedroom suite features a fireplace, walk-in closet, cathedral ceilings, ceiling fan and large sitting area with French doors that lead to the side porch. The resort style master bathroom is the perfect place to unwind after a long day. It features everything from a soaking Jacuzzi tub to an oversized separate shower and dual vanity. This is just the tip of the iceberg, with four more large sized bedrooms waiting to be claimed and discovered.

Experience movie theater bliss in the lower level media room. This finished lower grants access to a spacious backyard! On top of it all, every bedroom has been fully wired for computers and television. Added bonuses abound - a security system, dual zone heat and air conditioning, an irrigation system, plumbing for a wet bar, a fitness room, and much more! When it comes to this residence, no stone has been left unturned.

All of this at a $750,000 price tag unheard of for this caliber of residence. Have I piqued your interest? Give me a call. I promise that Loudoun will not disappoint you. I would be more than happy to show you around.

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: Tough through 2009, Ready for 2010

Let's be honest. We might all be taking a big sigh of relief now that 2009 is over. Its been a long year full of stress and suffering for many.

No town has been untouched by the economy. But I'd like to think that Loudoun County's strong economic background and motivated community members have kept it more than afloat through this infamous year of 2009...


Golf reemerged itself as a sports pillar of the area. Not only did the 1757 Golf Club open in May, replacing the retired Presidential Golf Club, but we welcomed Donald Trump as the newest owner of the Lowes Island County Club. There are plans to renovate the club and rename it Trump National Golf Club. As we all know, having the Trump name associated with your town is always a welcome addition.

We welcomed new businesses. The Associated Builders and Contractors of Virginia and Guernsey Office Products as well as new facilities, the Purceville Public Safety Center and the Ashburn North Park and Ride Lot.

Our already solid school system continued to grow with the opening of three new elementary schools, school enrollment growth by more than 5% and the hiring of 585 new teachers.


Loudoun County added a few more badges of honor to its collection when it won the top award in the 2009 Green Government Challenge and received a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for their 2010 Fiscal Year Budget.

And last, but not least, the town of Ashburn, VA in Loudoun County is now proud to officially call itself home to the NFL Washington Redskins.

If this is what can happen in a bad year, can you imagine what is possible as the economy improves? Loudoun County real estate is a great investment. Its history, beauty and big community players speak for itself. I would love to help you find a home and join us on the ride back up as we greet 2010 with open arms.

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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